Use Federal Surplus for Health Care

* Maybe it was just sheer coincidence that articles about our government anguishing over what to do with an ever-growing surplus and “Europe’s Cheaper Rx for Health” appeared on the Oct. 21 front page. As we entrust our government to build a military defense system that is second to none, why are we so hesitant to let it do the same in health care? The government’s role is ultimately to protect our freedom. Our current health care system is more of a threat to an individual’s well-being than the risk of us being attacked by a foreign foe.

Instead of studying ways of channeling surplus tax money into the stock market, a responsible government should take a close look at the European models for health care. No American should have to worry about being shot, or being able to afford a shot.

IVAR SCHOENMEYR

San Juan Capistrano

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The overall U.S. longevity rank is low, but the U.S. ranks No. 1 in longevity for those over 65. Why? Because our health care system is superior, not inferior.

The article mentions the satisfaction of one man on dialysis in France. In fact, you are much less likely to get dialysis in France--too costly. The article mentions higher infant mortality in the U.S. and better care for immigrants in Europe. These negatives are partly a result of our unique and indefensible law that grants citizenship to all newborns. This distorts our statistics by attracting late-term, high-risk women to the U.S. Immigrants in Europe usually spend their entire pregnancies in the system.

There are also genetic differences that skew mortality. Blacks, American Indians and their South American descendants have a higher rate of diabetes that increases their mortality independently of their lack of health care. We do need to improve health care for minorities. We do need to make changes in our system. We should not be misled by the propaganda of health care systems that try to build themselves up by tearing us down.

ROGER A. FORSYTH MD

Los Angeles

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This physician appreciates your Column One about Europe’s single-payer health care systems costing less and being more effective than my beloved country’s free-enterprise disease-care nonsystem. Our political talk bad-mouths superior single-payer systems as “big government” and “socialist.” If our free-enterprise approach costs lives, suffering and money, isn’t that evil?

SAUL ISAAC HARRISON MD

Pacific Palisades