1. Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Letters
States taking on battle
I would like to compliment USA TODAY for undertaking an important topic
with its "Prescription for change: Fixing American health care" series. But the
series did not accurately reflect the dynamic efforts among states to cover
uninsured populations, reduce health care costs, and make health insurance
more affordable and accessible for individuals and small businesses
("Consumer unease with U.S. health care grows," Cover story, News, Oct.
16).
Following Massachusetts' example, governors across the country are taking
dramatic and creative steps to improve health care in their states, operating
as laboratories for change, just as they did with welfare reform. They are not
willing to wait for Washington to provide a national solution.
Governors are expanding health care coverage to targeted groups who need
it but cannot afford the available insurance. By using a combination of public
and private funding, states are beginning to shrink the number of uninsured
and improve the system for everyone.
In the past, "state health care reform" meant expanding state programs to
cover tens of thousands of uninsured. In the wake of Massachusetts, reform
can mean covering hundreds of thousands of previously uninsured persons.
Martin D. Sellers
Philadelphia