Kirk cares about health care reform

Richard Keller is wrong in his recent letter to the editor when he claims that Congressman Mark Kirk isn't doing anything about America's health-care crisis.

Keller says that Medicaid only covers the elderly, the disabled, or those with dependent children, and would not cover a needy "middle-aged empty-nester." He is correct, and this is how Medicaid is supposed to work. Medicaid was never intended to be a national health-care system. It was put in place to provide health care for people who cannot provide it for themselves: the old, the disabled and children. The "middle-aged empty-nester" is able to work, and thus he should get health care through his job.

Of course, things don't always work the way they should. That empty-nester could lose his job, or work for a small business that can't afford to provide health insurance. Congressman Kirk is working to correct those shortfalls. He co-wrote with Congressman Lipinski a bill that would allow people to keep their employer-provided health care for life, even if they leave or lose their job. Congressman Kirk also supports association health plans that would allow small businesses to band together to negotiate prices with insurance companies so they can provide their workers with health insurance. Finally he is a strong advocate of medical malpractice lawsuit reform. Frivolous lawsuits are a major driver of health-care costs and keep insurance out of reach for people who otherwise be able to afford it.

Our health-care system provides excellent care to the vast majority of our citizens. We shouldn't throw it out for European-style nationalized health care that provides everyone with an equal level of poor health care just because some people fall through the cracks. We should patch those cracks so our current system works for everyone. That is what Congressman Kirk is doing and he should be commended instead of attacked.

Keegan McDonald

Libertyville