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Health care debate

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Pam Holt

Published: June 25, 2009

I would like to make a couple of observations.

1. As reported in that left wing loony publication, the Wall Street Journal and many other medial outlets, very few Americans have health coverage for catastrophic illness. If you are under an employer or private plan, check your statements for "lifetime maximum coverage," the vast majority will show between $1 million - $2 million. There have been numerous accounts of people who thought they were covered running the lifetime maximum in a short time and winding up owing the hospitals and doctors far more than they could pay in a lifetime. I believe that the statistic is 26 percent of people who file for bankruptcy after a serious illness were insured.

2. Most medium-plus companies are self-insured. I learned that many years ago when I wanted to hire a lady who had been working for me as a temp. I put in the paper work and was immediately contacted by human resources and told that she had once had cancer. I was told that I could not hire her because the cancer might return and that would increase the premiums on everyone. Is that fair or the type of America you want to live in?

I lived and worked in Europe for over a decade. National health premiums were taken from every paycheck. I once had a serious accident that required roughly 10 months of care. I have never in my life had better care and I did not have to pay one penny from my pocket.

I for one support a single payer system and I believe if you examine the options you will too. If you come to the same conclusion please contact Congress and let them know.

Pam Holt
Lake Placid

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