Government health care the right thing to do

I worked in health care for 15 years, and there are great things about our system, including staff in every hospital committed to high-quality and compassionate care.

But there are inefficiencies that cost taxpayers in dollars and in quality, as well as disparities in care determined by ethnicity, gender or economic status. In comparison with other developed countries, our health care costs the most but doesn’t get the best outcomes.

Opponents resist the idea of mandated health insurance. But this is no different than states that require car insurance. It saves those who are insured from paying for the care of the uninsured when they need care.

Opponents also suggest that while health care needs reform, we should let the market regulate itself. If insurance companies have not made changes by now, why would they in the future?

Most developed nations provide health coverage. Not only is it the right thing to do, it is an investment in our future. Healthy kids are better students, and healthy adults function at higher levels both mentally and physically.

What can be achieved with health care reform is a healthier citizenry and a stronger, more productive country. In a competitive global economy, that’s something we should all support.

Betsy Burtis

Derry