Health-care reform must offer choices

Are you one of the millions of Americans with no health care? Are you worried about losing your job, and along with your job, losing your health care like millions of your fellow Americans have recently?

Doesn't every economic downturn affect those older than 50, those who face difficulties finding new employment and therefore of ever getting into a group health plan again? Can you afford COBRA? What are your chances of obtaining health insurance on your own if you are older than 50? Will a for-profit insurance company give you a policy or one you can afford? Shouldn't aging baby boomers stand together and demand reform to health care that reduces costs, improves the standard of care, and gives consumers choice?

Consumer choices must include a public policy option. All heath-care consumers, and that is all of us, must demand change because the insurance industry, like the banking industry, owns the Congress. The Congress belongs to the people, so remind your representative of that. Demand a public policy option as part of health-care reform so you have choices. Call your representatives and senators today.

Can you afford to go without health care until you are eligible for Medicare? Will you live that long without health care reform?

Valerie Ihara

Palatine