The Spectrum

Healthcare inequality is an inhumane national disgrace.

Every day about 120 of us die because we lack health insurance. We're the only developed nation that does not have universal healthcare. Although we spend more than twice per capita on healthcare than the average of other developed nations, our quality of care is ranked lower in many categories. This is due in part to health insurers that are profit-driven, not care-driven and control too much of our treatment. Medicare-for-all would eliminate insurers and their profit/overhead and allow negotiated drug prices, a savings of $617 billion annually.

These savings would facilitate improved coverage, like dental and long-term care. With Medicare-for-all, we could visit any doctor/hospital nationwide without paying out-of-network penalties. There would be no co-pays, deductibles and bills. Instead of paying premiums, we’d pay a similar or less amount in taxes. Health providers/hospitals would remain private. Polls show almost 80 percent of Medicare beneficiaries like their coverage and the majority of us favor Medicare-for-all.

But to improve healthcare, we must vote for representatives who are not owned by the insurance companies.

Jayne Riggs

Ivins