A sick system

Re “Injured civilians battle to get care,” April 17

At first, I was shocked and appalled to read about the civilian contractors’ struggle to receive their much-deserved benefits. Now I’m no longer surprised -- just outraged. It makes no sense that companies like insurer American International Group can dole out bonuses, yet can’t seem to pay for the horrendous injuries sustained by workers in Iraq.

What makes it so tragic and pathetic is that these are seemingly commonplace stories in our time. When is America going to stop protecting the companies and start protecting the people? When is getting medical care going to be a right instead of a business deal?

Randy Helmerich

Sylmar