The Congressional Budget Office estimate that the Affordable Care Act will have a $2.6 trillion negative impact on the deficit/debt is a much more believable figure than Dr. James F. Burdick's estimates ("We can afford Obamacare," Oct. 21). Without tort reform, I don't believe that half of what he estimates as the savings for overutilization of tests and treatments will be attained.

The $250 million for insurance administration will be replaced by higher costs for the government to do the same thing. And what about the impact of the 45 million additional folks to be covered?

All the ACA does is move dollars from the haves to the have nots — which would be OK as long as people were told that and the government is honest.

Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville