I am self-employed and purchase individual health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s exchange without a subsidy. From my vantage point, single-payer health care looks tremendously attractive.

Compared to my skyrocketing insurance premiums (57 percent spike for 2017) and exorbitant annual deductible ($7,000), I’ll happily shoulder the extra tax burden and share it with others. I’ll gladly wait longer to see my doctor. If government bureaucrats want to peek into my health history and lifestyle choices to mitigate medical costs, dig in. I’ll take advantage of Big Brother’s bargaining leverage and bulk purchasing power with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices and will make do with the possibility of fewer new medicines and treatment technologies in a government-controlled health system.

As for the Blues, Aetnas, Geisingers, Kaiser-Permanentes, Assurants and Humanas of the world? Adieu.

Mike Morgan

East Hempfield Township