Re: Sanders would make government health care role even bigger, Sept. 14 news story

Thank you for your coverage of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for All” bill in the U.S. Senate. I can hear the critics attacking it as “too expensive.” To which I reply: “Relative to what?” Would those critics please explain the wisdom behind the following things.

Every line item in the Pentagon’s budget. No audit in decades? Iraq and Afghanistan have already cost us trillions of dollars. The real threat to life and limb for most Americans is here at home in the form of sickness or injury

Forcing Americans into bankruptcy just because they got sick or injured.

How my Veterans Administration care (somewhat akin the “Medicare for All”) is somehow inferior to the care I have received through United Health Care, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, Anthem. I have not found it to be so and the generic medication I get through VA work as well as the pricey big name meds through big name insurance companies.

Why Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Co. is not supporting this?

Frank Ohrtman, US Navy Lt. (Ret.), Denver

Kudos to Bernie Sanders for proposing “Medicare for All.” It’s long overdue.

Universal care is popular because our current system is not working for everyone and every state. The Affordable Care Act was a start, but for-profit care will never work. Much of the money goes to the CEO’s. We are the largest industrialized country that doesn’t provide universal healthcare to its citizens and we should be ashamed. Why should people be dying and going bankrupt over health costs in such a wealthy country?

I spent $10,000 for myself last year and soon won’t be able to afford it. We also have a lower life expectancy than other countries that provide universal care. Medicare for All will save lives and save money. Please call your representatives and support this necessary legislation!

Sandy Reavey, Denver

Sen. Bernie Sanders is introducing the “Medicare for All” bill in the Senate. This is revolution.

Since we all need health care, paying for it is essentially a tax. Paying for it through for-profit insurance is failing us, utterly. It works for those at the top of the insurance industries, but not for most of us. In effect, it’s taxation without representation. We are taking on the big medicine monarchy.

The majority of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are signing on. They are kissing goodbye to millions in campaign contributions from big medicine and taking on its wrath. This is our fight. Improved “Medicare for All” will provide health care of, by, and for the people. It will simply and affordably provide better health care for all.

Call Sen. Bennet and tell him to go bold. Call Sen. Cory Gardner and tell him we all need health care and “Medicare for All” is the only way to get there. This is how we can own how we pay for our health care. No taxation without representation.

Bill Semple, Boulder

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