Middle Class and Health Reform

* Once again we are hit with a burst of “hit the middle class” hot air with Kevin Phillips’ irresponsible attack on President Clinton’s health care plan (Opinion, Oct. 10). Phillips’ hyperbolic forecasts of long lines at clinics providing poor health services are a ridiculous attempt to scare the average insured American. The truth is the Clinton plan will reduce or eliminate the long lines in county hospital emergency rooms, which are the only outlet for the millions of uninsured Americans. Despite Phillips’ claims, the truth is the British and Canadian health plans work. They provide care for all their citizens, rich or poor.

Instead of worrying about the middle class and small tax increases, perhaps it’s time we concerned ourselves about the poor and homeless Americans who are dying every day because they cannot afford basic health care. Perhaps it’s time we put aside our personal needs and re-establish an America of generous, caring people. The Clinton health care plan is a step in the right direction.

RICHARD A. STEEL

Los Angeles

* I was baffled by Phillips’ repeated references to the middle class as (for example)” . . . insured and reasonably content.” Obviously, he has not been exposed any time in the recent past to the horrors experienced by many members of this class, thanks to the current system. Whether at the hospital’s crowded emergency room, or at the mailbox receiving the exorbitant medical bills, I found the current system to be both inefficient and unable to provide quality care. I believe that to the majority of the middle class, the fear of dealing with the existing system in case of a serious illness eclipses any anxiety caused by the possible higher “user” fees.

RAFAL ANDRZEJEWSKI

Brea

* It’s hard to believe that this early in Slick Willie’s regime The Times would feature a commentary from liberal Kevin Phillips under a heading--”Middle Class Gets Hit Again--This Time It’s Health Care.” The article echoed Rush Limbaugh’s daily condemnation of this socialistic entitlement program.

I thought it especially enlightening to learn that Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany and the Scandinavian nations, countries often referred to by those plugging for the program, are finding it impossible to afford their “cradle to grave” programs.

And for middle-class Americans this health care concept assures one thing--less medical care for higher costs.

W.P. BROOKS

Santa Ana

* Thank you for your recent coverage of the movement for a single-payer, Canadian-style national health system (Oct. 9). Although public opinion is generally wary of this type of approach, there is reason to think that with a more detailed understanding of its logic, the single-payer idea would win popular support. It is a sensible approach, and the alternatives are increasingly being exposed as unsupportable in this economy.

The belated visibility of this proposal in the public discussion of health reform is, I think, a reflection of the amount of distrust in our culture of anything that hints of socialism. Yet this tension about socialism is something we must finally face and leave in the past along with the Cold War. We cannot allow it to limit our vision of the various possible solutions to our problems.

VICTOR NICASSIO

Los Angeles