A Healthy Public Can Pay for Public Care

Re “Final Word: Health Care Centers Cut,” Aug. 21: Is that the way we want to treat the sick and dying, many of them poor, uneducated and unemployable, often through no fault of their own? What’s the point of government if not to lend a helping hand to women, children and men, many of them taxpayers for years? “They” could be “us.”

If I were governor, I would have the last word on this one, come what may. I would ask millions of Californians who have health insurance to pass an emergency bill for $31.3 million to show some kindness for our neighbors in their time of need, suffering and unimaginable worry and fear. The cost? Never miss it: a Dodger dog, a Lakers Pepsi, a Mickey Mouse trinket from Disneyland or a small popcorn with butter from one’s favorite theater in Hollywood.

Duke Russell

Hollywood

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Where are the values and priorities of our elected officials? I’m sure I don’t understand all the reasons why the county Board of Supervisors chose to balance the budget on the backs of those who need help most, but I have to express my outrage! A healthy and educated state and nation are more important to the survival of our democracy than anything I can think of. Is there no other way? Is it that the poor don’t have a voice? I know how much some of these people, who have no insurance and cannot afford doctors, depend on the county health services. If any of our supervisors have a heart and a conscience for the future, I plead with them to find a way to restore these urgent and necessary services.

Christa Metzger

Santa Monica