Health Care

Mitch McConnell stayed on the attack over comments President Barack Obama made about the Supreme Court's impending decision on health care legislation as he barnstormed central Kentucky on Thursday. In a speech in Lexington and later in an interview with The Advocate-Messenger, the Senate minority leader spoke at length about what he said was “the Supreme Court deliberation and the inappropriateness of (Obama) clearly trying to intimidate them into doing what he wants them to do,” referring to remarks Obama made Monday, in which he said striking down the health care reform act passed in 2010 would be an overreach.

Dear Editor, We are writing to express our deep concern about the health care crisis that exists in America. We believe that the health care delivery system is broken in terms of cost and positive efficiency. Many other developed nations have health care systems that are far lower in costs, both economic and social, and have better measurable outcomes for the health and well-being of their citizens. We believe that the issue of health care for all is a moral issue that America is failing to address.

Dear Editor: President George W. Bush asked for and got $86 billion for the armed forces and for rebuilding Iraq. Included in this sum was $1.3 billion for veteran health benefits. When the bill was reconciled between the House and the Senate, this $1.3 billion for veterans health care was removed, and no attempt has been made to restore it In all fairness, your congressman should hear from you about the missing health care for veterans. More and more of our troops are being injured and will need treatment from the Veterans Administration.

Dear Editor, "Cash for clunkers": Our brilliant federal government under-funded this one program. The "cash for clunkers" incentive was meant to run through October but ran out of cash in four days. Do we really want these same people controlling our entire health care system? I do not. Everyone should contact their elected officials today. Don't delay. This is too important. Kim KingHarrodsburg

An effort is under way to improve health and health care in Kentucky through a series of community forums. A Boyle County forum will be 10-11:30 a.m. March 13 at the Boyle County Extension Office, 446 North Danville Bypass in the Farm Bureau building. The public is encouraged to attend this free meeting to share thoughts and concerns about health care in the community and across the commonwealth. Discussion will be facilitated by Donna Forgacs, county extension agent; Dan Troutman from the Boyle County Health Department, and Ann McAnly, Youth Services Center director at Boyle County High School.

Dear Editor, The recent events at Walter Reed Medical Center, the disturbing figures of 50 to 60 million uninsured in America and the rapid spiraling cost of our aging population will, in the near future, converge to create the perfect storm in the health care industry. In the daily health policy report dated March 14, officials testified before the Department of Veteran Affairs that the VA has a backlog of 600,000 claims, and in addition the VA will have 638,000 first time claims in the next five years because of the Iraq war. What is alarming, according to the panelists, is the additional claims will cost between $70 billion to $150 billion.

By Lawrence A. Hunter The pain in Bill Murray's arthritic hip throbbed for more than a year while he waited to see a specialist. When he finally got an appointment, the specialist said Murray needed a cutting edge hip-resurfacing treatment. Murray, a 57-year-old living in Alberta, Canada, tried to schedule the procedure, but was flatly rejected.It wasn't an insurance company that turned him down, or even a hospital worried about his ability to pay. In fact, Murray tried to pay for the procedure out of his own pocket.

Dear Editor, I find it quite unbelievable that people who call themselves Christian could be so vehemently against everyone having health care, or Medicare, especially since all our Congress men and women have it. Is it because some of us will pay higher taxes? Maybe some of us look down on those who have lost a job, or who are not as well-educated as we are, or perhaps they aren't the right color or ? heaven forbid ? not born in this wonderful country. Jesus said in 1 John 3:16-20 "... if someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion ?

Dear Editor, A topic that seems to keep coming up during every election is the rising cost of health care and the number of people without health insurance. Candidates talk about what they want to do, but I've recently discovered Judge Tony Wilder helped bring a discount drug card program to all 120 counties in Kentucky. Judge Wilder managed to accomplish this as president of the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo). With no age, health or income restrictions, anyone can participate in the program.