Fix failing system that burdens us

Being over 65, we are covered by the public option called Medicare and can afford supplemental insurance, but given a less self-sufficient circumstance my wife and I might be on another public option called Medicaid. As a fiscal conservative I see our current health care system in deficit and debt-promoting mode. It's a crisis.

For the common good we must radically change our system which led to the U.S. being behind most other developed countries insofar as infant mortality, life expectancy, overall health (72nd); yet we are far ahead in per capita costs; and we are the only wealthy country not covering all citizens.

Here are the things we believe we need:

1. Aid to small businesses with low-wage workers and the self-employed... with choices for all.

2. Bar insurers from raising premiums, capping benefits, or canceling because of accidents, illness, or injury.

3. Currently we the insured pay more for our coverage, therefore paying the emergency costs of the uninsured. This must stop.

4. U.S. citizens pay more for drugs than everyone else. This must cease.

5. End denials based on pre-existing conditions.

6. Set up insurance exchanges that allow price comparisons and the ability to negotiate.

7. Mandate transferable electronic storage of test results and health records to prevent medical mistakes, reduce redundancies and costs.

8. On tort reform, define pain and suffering with rational limits, but provide reasonable allowances for lost wages, medical, surgical, and hospital expenses, transportation, and long term expenses such as nursing, physical therapies and somatic appliances.

Robert and Virginia Gerhold

Wheeling