We must move to single-payer health plan

Dr. Paderson said in an interview that single payer health care would raise America's health care costs. In fact, data from both Medicare (a government run single payer health care) and Canada's single payer health care system shows that we would save one third of our health care costs. This saving would arise in part from simplified paperwork and more efficient administration.

For-profit health care operates to maximize profits by charging the most and covering the least. It is by far the most inefficient system in the world. Our per capita health care cost is more than twice that of other countries while leaving nearly 30 millions Americans without insurance. 30 thousands Americans die each year of preventable causes due to lack of access to affordable care.

Among its many benefits, single payer health care would make our businesses more competitive globally. It would be good for our health and our economy and it would give individuals more freedom in making career and health decisions.

This country can't afford to keep squandering one trillion dollars every year and drive countless Americans (nearly 80 percent of whom have insurance) into bankruptcy because of huge medical bills (single payer system would eliminate out of pocket expenses).

Having spent five years in Canada, during which I was free to go to any doctor any time without having to deal with any medical bills, I can see why no Canadian polled would want to trade their health care system with ours.

It speaks volumes that Sen. Rand Paul (a Libertarian) chose to have his surgery done in Canada notwithstanding that as a senator, he has free access to this country's best medical care.

Lanlan Hoo

Wheaton