There's no boogeyman in government-run health care

The battle over health care reform is heating up. Ads are running warning of the "dangers" of a government-run health plan. The truth is a government-run health plan is the only way we are going to fix our health care crisis. For-profit health insurers make millions of dollars in profits while millions are uninsured, unable to afford insurance and are one illness away from financial ruin.

The opponents warn of "bureaucrats in Washington" making health care decisions. Could that be worse than the bureaucrats on Wall Street that currently make health care decisions for private insurers? They have certainly done a great job with our economy, haven't they?

Ask a friend who has Medicare when they recall their physician ever having to get "approval" to perform a test or refer them to a specialist. Unlike private insurance, Medicare does not require pre-certification. If a test is medically indicated and the physician orders it, it is done. Medicare will not pay for tests or treatments that are not proven; do you want your tax dollars wasted on unproven treatments?

While the opponents of nationalized health care will present you videos of the "horrors" of Canada or England's nationalized health system, stop and think if waiting a few weeks or months for an elective surgery is really that bad if it means your child, just graduating from college, will have health insurance or that you can now plan your retirement on your own terms instead of working those extra years just to keep health insurance.

I urge everyone concerned about the health care crisis to contact their representatives in Washington and demand that the legislation include at least a public health insurance option. Visit www.healthcare-now.org to learn about nationalized health care or www.healthcareforamericanow.org to learn about the public health care plan option.

Dr. Ronald Hirsch

Elgin