Universal health care can work

I would like to respond to a letter written recently by Carl Palash to the Fence Post, in which he writes about his distrust of a universal health care system in this country.

In his letter, he states that he is "not willing to let the government take more money from my pocket and manage health care. After all, the government, throughout the history of the U.S., has proven to be incapable of managing any program efficiently."

I would like to take exception to his comments.

While the U.S. government may not be perfect, it has established many programs over the years -- such as Social Security and the GI Bill -- that have helped millions of citizens in times of need. He also writes that in countries like Canada and Cuba, universal health care has "led to long delays in getting doctor assistance and receiving necessary treatment (people have died before getting their treatment)." I have a very good health insurance plan and still have had to wait for a doctor even though I have an appointment. That's a very weak argument for such an important issue.

He then suggests that government should focus its efforts on frivolous lawsuits to help control costs but fails to mention the powerful and influential drug companies and their lobbyists that have driven the cost of prescription drugs beyond the means of many of our citizens.

I believe it's time that the issue of a universal health care system is taken seriously once and for all. It is simply unacceptable for a nation as great as ours to have millions of its own citizens unable to afford basic health care.

The next president should appoint a bipartisan group of respected Americans to study the health care systems of other countries, seeing what works and what doesn't, and to make recommendations for a thoughtful and viable program that will address the needs of all our citizens. Then let the people decide. I believe that we have an obligation to our fellow Americans to at least try.

James P. Jones

Wheaton