GOP Health Care Bill

Re “Senate OKs GOP Health Care Bill Amid Veto Threat,” July 16: The current dust-up in the Senate over the so-called patients’ bill of rights seems to me like a win-win-win situation.

Republican senators win because they get to keep getting campaign contributions from the health care industry donors whose bacon they’ve saved. Democratic senators win because they get a great campaign issue to beat up the Republicans with in the 2000 elections. Bill Clinton wins because he can pretend to feel our pain by casting a veto when the Republican bill reaches him. Everyone wins.

JOHN C. HARRISON

Mission Viejo

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I spent many months in 1994 working for Proposition 186, a single-payer health care system. It was overwhelmingly defeated. That was the last opportunity for the public and the medical profession to control the destiny of our health care delivery system. Quality of care will never be found in this for-profit system that exists now.

As a retired schoolteacher living on a fixed income, I joined an HMO through Medicare. My experience with the HMO was most dissatisfying and I quit, returning to Medicare with a supplement to cover some of what Medicare does not. This is at a cost of $250 a month, which includes half of prescription costs. It does not include dental or eye care. The expense of a supplement is part of the for-profit system; however, choice of providers exists and quality of care is improved.

If we eliminated the “profit” from the system, we could cover everyone with top quality care for the same amount of money that we are spending today on health care. Where is the outrage of the public? Things will not change until that occurs.

ROLAND R. RUTTER

Irvine

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I feel that an increase in HMO prices and fees should be welcomed by consumers (July 17). The increase would mean a cutback in the purchase of junk foods, alcohol, cigarettes and other unnecessary vices. We are quick to demand top quality health care as a placebo for our slovenly health habits by a 65% overweight and obese society.

JIM FRIGO

Bakersfield

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Our infant mortality rate is higher than most civilized nations. Children must grow up with absentee mothers because it takes two incomes to support the family.

Family health insurance becomes more difficult to obtain and pay for each year. The typical wages have not kept up with the basic cost of living: food, home, utilities, transportation, etc.

Family values?

BOB STEINGART

Pasadena