Find out how other nations succeed

Our health care system has reached the point where neither employer nor employee can easily afford the cost of coverage, and 47 million remain uninsured.

Pre-existing conditions and job layoffs are the usual reasons coverage is unattainable; this means many who have suffered serious illness cannot get insured. This point hits home when a member of one's family faces lay off and is without needed care when serious illness hits.

Other, less-wealthy democratic nations such as Australia and Canada have systems that are well-regarded and cover all residents. In Canada, apparently more than 70 percent of the population rates its health care system positively. The experiences of countries that have developed systems that are well rated by a high majority of residents should be instructive to us as we struggle to find ways to provide care for those who have been left with none.

Strategies used by these nations may help us increase coverage without diluting the quality of care or increasing cost. Perhaps we need to find out how other countries do it.

Donald R. Sutherland

Glen Ellyn