The Other Side

This is a letter from Barbara Griffin to the editor of the Waycross Journal Herald in Waycross, Georgia, sent on August 1, 2009. Since the letter probably won't be published, we present it here in a feature which we call "The Other Side"

To the Editor:
It is with continual amazement that I read all the columns and editorials denouncing a health care reform plan that has not yet been created. All of these writers, including you Mr. Editor, are predicting doom and gloom without even knowing what plans will eventually be agreed upon. I have a small measure of faith that the legislators and those from whom they are getting their information are more informed and judicious in their opinions and planning than the op-ed writers in this publication, as well as the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck.

The primary objection raised by conservative talk show pundits and right wing writers is that government intrusion, or “creeping socialism” will destroy our health care system and possibly our way of life. To those great thinkers I would like to point out that the most efficient health care insurance we have now is a government plan, Medicare. Imperfect though it may be, it is a lifeline for both the older population and the disabled. No matter how hard we work or well-insured we are during our working years, once we retire most of us have no other options. As far as the government dictating to doctors what type of care we may have, managed care and HMO policies are already doing that.

The other main argument is that the cost of overhauling the healthcare system as well as instituting a public option will destroy our economy. Our President’s main point all along has been that a) our economy has been on a destructive course for the past 8 years and b) if the healthcare system is not dramatically changed, it can only worsen the economy. Many proposals for improving the cost effectiveness of healthcare are being considered during the legislative planning sessions. A recent paper by the Urban Institute, a non-partisan economic and social policy research organization provides an overview of many of the measures being reviewed (www.urban.org).

There is no one plan that can please everyone. The vested interests of high premium insurance companies are certainly at stake, as well as possibly the incomes of medical professionals. The primary benefit will accrue to the uninsured and the underinsured. However, it will also benefit those institutions that presently have a percentage of their patients with little or no coverage and therefore must lose payments for many of the services provided. With a public option, the onus of small businesses having to provide health insurance can be eliminated.

As a professional within the health care system, I deal with unsolvable problems on a daily basis. It is my job to translate complicated health and drug insurance options and then explain why certain services or medications are not available to people who have just enough to get by. Many studies have shown that our country’s health care ranks significantly lower than all other industrialized countries (#37 according to the World Health Organization), and costs considerably more as well (Commonwealth Fund National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008). In a country with our power, wealth and knowledge that is inexcusable. It’s time we offer our citizens the quality of healthcare they deserve.

Barbara Griffin, Waycross

Here is the Editorial Rejoinder:

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's interesting that you cite Medicare as a "lifeline" to older Americans. It's my understanding that ObamaCare will dismantle the Medicare program and place its participants in line for health care services.

Surprisingly, the WJH did publish the letter. Here are some comments.


All I can say about the editor's response is that he must have attended (not graduated from) the Sean Hannity School of Journalism.

Your letter was well-written and reasoned, and it is sad that something that you obviously put time and effort into was brushed aside with such a weak retort.

It is the close-minded thinking of people like our esteemed editor, Mr. Williams, that has this country scared and turning on itself with regards to the economy. The same conservatives that took great advantage of the economy while it was booming under the half-closed eyes of W and his crew, are crying foul and screaming for change, while denouncing the very people who are trying to bring about the needed changes.

It is with unfortunate fear that I read or listen to the news reports now, because I know that what I will hear will be, at best, a partial truth, on average, a great misrepresentation of facts, and at worst, outright lies.

No one questions that our economy is currently in great peril. What is questioned, and rightly so, is the proper way to improve it. One reason I am very thankful that Obama is our president is that he has been very upfront and honest about his lack of certainty of the "right way to go". What he has said repeatedly is more to the effect of "get the people who know this system and its flaws to come up with something better for everyone". One key to being a great leader (and we should all hope that Obama will be one) is not necessarily having the right answers, but having the wisdom to find the people who do, and listen to them. From every speech I have heard Obama give, I have gleaned nothing if not that he is very much relying on "experts" to come up with the best plan, and Congress to pass it into law. How is that Socialism? How is that worsening the economy?

Anyway, that's my rant, for what it's worth. I have to watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report to unwind after hearing all the negativity I deal with every day.

Your loving son,

Joshua