Canadian model is not the best health care option
Johns Hopkins University Professor Vicente Navarro's letter arguing that a government-run, single-payer system is the cure for America's problem with the uninsured is short-sighted ("Poor health care at epidemic levels," May 1).
Our federal budget surplus hides the never-ending growth of budget entitlements. Mandatory spending on Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and Social Security is crowding out federal discretionary spending.
Before we add another huge entitlement, a government guarantee of health care, we should acknowledge that the Canadian-style system Mr. Navarro supports has its share of problems, including rationing and long waiting lists for care.
We should acknowledge the superior medical technology available in the United States.
We should acknowledge that Canada's system has proved inadequate for many Canadians, who depend on the availability of the world's finest medical care in the United States.
The question now, as it was during the debate on the Clinton health care scheme, is whether to disrupt the health coverage the vast majority of Americans now enjoy to address the serious and growing problem of the uninsured.
The Canadian system would be unacceptable for most Americans; we need to find a better way -- one that doesn't compromise our freedom.
Congress can help by creating tax incentives that make coverage more affordble for businesses and individuals.
Credits for purchasing health insurance and increased deductibility of health insurance premiums would address the reason so many people are uninsured -- their inability to pay for coverage.
Such initiatives will allow the superior medical system we have developed to thrive, and new medical advances to be made, without denying citizens their freedom to choose.
Stephen J. Salamon Baltimore
The writer is past president of the Baltimore Health Underwriters Association.
Former welfare clients retain right to Medicaid
Giving people the opportunity to move from dependency to self-sufficiency, but making them responsible for their actions, has been the guiding principle of welfare reform in Maryland.
That's why the legislature made it part of the state's welfare reform program that Marylanders moving off public assistance people remain eligible for Medicaid health insurance for up to 12 months after they become employed.
But during the last legislative session, the advocacy community informed us that people were being dropped from the Medicaid program when they stopped receiving cash assistance ("Maryland mishandles welfare reform," May 21).
Consequently, we required the Department of Human Resources to report to the House's budget committees on the specific actions it has taken to ensure that families are aware that they may continue to qualify for Medicaid.
That report is due by Sept. 1.
Samuel I. Rosenberg Baltimore
The writer represents the 42nd District in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Fees from wealthy drivers will cut traffic for everyone
As The Sun's May 19 article "Pay the toll, avoid the traffic" suggests, some people are concerned that the plan to let drivers purchase the right to use high occupancy vehicle lanes will benefit only the wealthy people who have the means to buy their way out of heavy traffic.
However, every wealthy driver paying for the "Lexus lane" is one less car fighting the rest of the traffic.
This is another example where the wealthy bear costs but everyone benefits.
Richard Spencer Towson
Only force will stop Milosevic and the Serbs
Dan Rodricks' column, "Ehrlich errs in call for bombing halt" (May 21) was right.
The only thing Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbs understand is force.
Francis Barnette Ellicott City
Smart bombs, but dumb bombers?
Let's see now -- NATO bomb hits hospital and market in Nis, Yugoslavia. NATO bomb hits Chinese embassy in Belgrade. NATO bombs hit Kosovo rebels (our allies) in mountains.
If NATO is using "smart" bombs they must be using "dumb" bombers.
Gerald M. Rosenthal Pikesville
Are the "smart" bombs responsible for the killing of civilians in Yugoslavia or the insensitive actions of people who advocate and order their use?
Lawrence M. Rackson Lutherville
Raiding Social Security to fund the Balkan war
On May 23, a headline in The Sun said, "Republicans pledge to lock up funds for Social Security."
But in light of The Sun's May 7 article "House votes for $13.1 billion to expand military spending," this would seem to be a case of locking the barn door after the horse is stolen.
That story noted that the extra military funds would "come out of the Social Security trust fund and would not be subject to strict budget limits."
R. L. Lelonek Baltimore
Kids can join the Army, but can't buy guns?
Are Jack Germond and Jules Witcover ("Bad gun week for the GOP," May 24) aware that some of the same senators who voted to prevent "children" from being able to purchase guns, are advocating sending some of those same "children" into combat in Kosovo?
One of these senators justified the hypocrisy of this by saying that all of the troops sent to war would be volunteers.
So let me see if I have a proper understanding of this: A person between the ages of 18 and 21 is not mature enough to decide to buy a gun for self-defense at home but is mature enough to decide to let someone in the government send them to their possible death overseas.
David A. Titus Baltimore
Cruelty-free charitable giving?
I found The Sun's article on Internet resources relating to charities quite informative ("Giving online," May 17).
One additional resource that will interest your readers can be found at www.charitiesinfo.org.
This site lists many prominent medical health charities and states whether they fund animal experiments.
Recent opinion polls indicate that a majority of Americans prefer to give to health charities that don't fund such experiments.
After consulting this site, concerned individuals can make giving decisions mindful of what their money will support.
Andy Breslin Washington
The writer is charities campaign coordinator, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
April in Paris, May in Baltimore?
The month of May in Baltimore City is beautiful.
My wife and I walked through Sherwood Gardens two weekends ago and marveled at its loveliness.
My granddaughter plays Little League baseball with an enthusiastic group at the Gilman School field.
My younger son lives on Beech Avenue behind the Rotunda in a stable community near Wyman Park, which is also a beautiful area.
My married son, daughter-in-law and their children live behind the Roland Park library in a lovely community where all ages seem to mix.
We live and work in Baltimore and enjoy the beauty of our city without an extended and anxious commute. We are indeed fortunate.
Perhaps the message should go out that Baltimore, while it certainly has its problems, can be a great place to live.
I thank Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke for his leadership of our city and hope the next mayor can build on what we now have and make Baltimore an even more pleasant place to live.
Thomas Waxter Jr. Baltimore
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