To the Editor:

Re “Biden and Sanders Feud Over Health Care Policy, Escalating Their Attacks” (news article, July 19 ):

With most Democratic candidates raising their hands to eliminate private insurance, and with the majority of Americans, even Democrats, fearful of such radical change, I propose “Medicare for all” with an opt-out that allows people to keep their private insurance. It could be simple and fair.

Those who opt out could deduct their premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs from their taxes up to a limit equivalent to the average cost of Medicare per person as estimated yearly by the Congressional Budget Office. The increased taxes to pay for insuring everyone would be mitigated for the new Medicare recipients by not having to pay for medical care and for the opt-outs via the tax deduction. And private insurers would have to compete against Medicare for customers, thus driving costs down.

Steven West

Hull, Mass.

To the Editor:

The news regarding the Democratic candidates’ debate over “Medicare for all” doesn’t mention Medicare’s current inadequate remuneration of health care providers.

As a clinical social worker, I accept Medicare in my private psychotherapy practice, and I can assure you that it is a small sum, much less than half my normal fee. How will health care providers, practitioners, hospitals and other health facilities be able to survive if Medicare is their sole payer? Will Medicare raise its payments to match those of private insurers and/or private payers? At what cost to the American public?