The uninsured are costing the rest of us

In response to Mr. Hupfer (Fence Post, Aug. 10), there are many things in Obamacare that I disagree with, but enforcement of citizens to purchase health insurance is not one of them. How do you propose we cover those without coverage when they arrive at the hospital emergency room or immediate care center and are unable to pay for services? I am certain many ER physicians would attest that nonemergency care situations for the uninsured outweigh the emergency care situations.

My health insurance premium increased 37 percent in 2009 and another 46 percent in 2010 - could that be because the uninsured ranks are growing? My husband and I may be joining them if these rate increases continue! Who do you think pays for the uninsured? The government, from its money tree? It is the taxpayers.

Hope you caught the National Geographic special on the drug wars, which showed how an uninsured burn victim of a meth lab fire (caused by carelessness) was treated to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars - and that you wrote a donation check to the Tennessee hospital struggling to cover the cost. Or perhaps you want to add a donation to your tax return or health insurance premium.

Denise Kennedy

Wheeling