Our health system must be improved

In a recent letter to the Daily Herald, Keegan McDonald states that "our health-care system provides excellent care to the vast majority of our citizens."

If so, how can Mr. McDonald explain the July 13 segment on "60 Minutes" that showed thousands of working poor people showing up at a free volunteer medical clinic in Tennessee?

The turnout was so large, hundreds of people had to be turned away.

The volunteer agency holding the clinic, Remote Area Medical (RAM), started out providing free emergency health care to remote areas of South America.

But many U.S. citizens are now so desperate for medical services, RAM has had to begin working right here in the U.S., supposedly the world's most prosperous nation.

It's clear from recent statements that Mr. McDonald and Congressman Mark Kirk simply don't understand the extent of the health care crisis in America.

We cannot wish away this problem simply because we might have decent health care ourselves.

We are open to new solutions to the health care system in America.

Solutions have been proposed by Barack Obama and Dan Seals that don't change the U.S. system, but improve it so that its benefits are realized by more of our population.

We're grateful that the Democrats have at least recognized the extent of the problem and are working toward a health care system that benefits everyone.

The Democrats will get our votes in November.

Mark & Christine Kraemer

Wilmette