Health care not a one-time expense
Editor, The Times:
E.J. Dionne Jr. applauds Congressman Jay Inslee for his “finish-the-kitchen” tale [“Inslee: ‘Finish the kitchen,’” Opinion, Feb. 9]. Inslee is praised for comparing his problem with kitchen contractors and plumbers with the “Obamacare” health-reform bills languishing in Washington, D.C.
But if the comparison were remotely valid, then it might justify Dionne’s column. Both Dionne and Inslee conveniently ignore the obvious: Inslee’s kitchen — once finished — is forever paid for, but Obamacare must be paid for over and over.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if — having passed Obamacare in some form — the only obligation Inslee and the taxpayer had is to get together for a beer once a year. Unfortunately, Inslee’s beer will cost trillions. I could live without regret if I had Inslee’s old kitchen.
— James Axtell, Des Moines
Bless Inslee for pushing health care
As many of us Democrats sit aghast at the inability of our party to pass health-insurance reform — or anything else — we ask, “Where are the leaders? Where are the legislators who will not cower before corporate donors and 41 Republicans in a 100-member Senate?”
According to E.J. Dionne Jr. in his Feb. 9 column, one of them is right here in our state. Bless Jay Inslee for “calming Democrats’ nerves” and urging them to “finish the kitchen.” His kitchen story helps demonstrate what is unrealistic about Republicans’ calls to start over.
Yes, the health-care bills may look like a mess, but they represent the best that can emerge at this time from the competing ideas and interests that formed them into what they are.
Now, using the ample legislative tools Dionne describes, the Democrats must simply find the spine to pass them.
— Michael Kischner, Seattle
Issue hits home
I read the article in this Tuesday’s Times about how the Obama administration has asked California’s largest for-profit health insurer to justify plans to raise customers’ premiums by as much as 39 percent, a move that could affect some 800,000 customers [“White House asks insurer to justify hike,” News, Feb. 9].
My response to that is: That’s nothing! Our very own huge, for-profit Northwest insurance company, Regence BlueShield, raised the premiums for my MedAdvantage Enhanced plan by 76 percent starting Jan. 1. My deductibles and co-pays were also increased substantially. As we know, these MedAdvantage plans are even subsidized by the federal government. That makes this even more of an outrage.
— Sally Rutherford, retired advanced nurse practitioner, Bellevue