I read with interest the letters from Dr. Eric Naumburg and Dr. Jerry L. Levine. They both brought up interesting points. As a member of the Howard County Citizens Association's emergency-room committee I was closely involved with the organizing of the HCCA health care forum, and our main goal was to do something about the problems we have now.

For a long-term solution, a single-payer system may well provide a solution to the problems of the inappropriate use of the ER. The issue of preventive care brought up by Dr. Levine was covered at the meeting by Dr. Peter Beilenson when he gave an overview of how health-care reform will push for more preventive care. He also gave statistics on how Healthy Howard members have a much lower instance of ER use because of it's strong preventive program.

Alex Adler took up the issue when he told us how most insurance companies now have free preventive care or preventive care with a very low deductible. He also reminded us to use the 800 number on the back of our insurance cards when having a health-care issue, as all the insurance companies in Maryland have a nurse on duty to give free advice 24 hours.

But most important is to take advantage of preventive care that is available. Prevention is better than cure.

Brian England

Hickory Ridge