Concerns Over Health Coverage

The Times reported that “The Supreme Court on Monday gave companies that fund their own health insurance the right to sharply cut the benefits paid for AIDS and other catastrophic diseases” (Nov. 10). I feel that this article illustrates the reasons why America should implement a national health care system as soon as possible.

As the article points out “many state laws prohibit insurers from selling health coverage that fails to cover all diseases equally.” Unfortunately, company-provided insurance is not considered a benefit governed by state law. This loophole, which allows companies to cut medical insurance coverage for AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases, is discriminatory. Companies have safeguards. For example, many companies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions and now the Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal filed on behalf of an AIDS patient whose medical benefits were cut from $1 million to $5,000.

Why participate in an insurance plan that fails to cover medical expenses when you need it the most? Furthermore, who is going to end up picking up the tab for these individuals whose medical coverage has been cut? Add to the problem the skyrocketing cost of medical treatment and you’ve got a scenario that taxpayers are going to have to pay for. Americans should work together to draft legislation that will not only provide medical coverage for every citizen, but curb medical costs as well. We’ll all win in the end.

DARCY M. MATHIAS

Garden Grove