Letters to the Editor
No Health Plan After 40 Years
The last paragraph of the May 30 editorial “Those Medicare Discount Cards” says it all: “The strongest military power and the richest nation has yet to agree on a way to protect all of its citizens [with national health care].”
This fall, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Medicare Act. For many of us, it was our hope to have a national health plan for all within the next three years.
Unfortunately, that has not happened and today, more than 44 million have no health insurance coverage. Beyond the 44 million are those who are underinsured, have lost their jobs and their insurance. Figuring those people in, the numbers rise closer to more than 80 million in any given month of the year.
It is never too late to pass a Health Security Act that would cover everyone from cradle to grave. Just the will of our citizens and a government that realizes that a healthy nation is dependent upon its government to provide comprehensive health coverage to all.
Tweaking of the law and in particular this new drug discount card is a sham. In the long run, more people will realize that a bad Medicare Act of 2003 was passed and demand it be rescinded.
Naomi E. Shaiken
President
Alfred Shaiken
Vice President
Connecticut Call To Action
New Haven