How will health bill be paid for?

In her scathing attack on Joe Lieberman Dec. 20, Froma Harrop commented on the funding of the proposed health care legislation: "Unlike the Medicare drug benefit, which was funded entirely with borrowed money, this legislation would be paid for."

Paid for by whom, Ms. Harrop? Santa and Mrs. Claus will have been long gone by the time of the passage and the Easter Bunny usually doesn't carry much cash. I suppose then it is up to the Tooth Fairy to provide the funding. We should all place our remaining teeth under the pillow and hope for the best.

Actually, the Medicaid increases will be primarily funded by the poor states that did not bargain well in the legislative process and the shortfalls in the other programs - and there will be shortfalls - will come from taxes on those companies that can afford to remain in business and from payroll and other taxes on current and future generations fortunate enough to be working. And, by the way, Medicare drug recipients do pay partially for this coverage.

Richard Noxon

Algonquin