The article "Hours cut to dodge costs," March 25, highlights the problems with our current health care. The main lesson from this financial assault has to do with a failing employment-associated health care insurance non-system.
What seemed like a good idea in the post-World War II era when employers began offering paid private health insurance coverage in order to attract employees has now become an albatross on our health security and economic competitiveness.
Clearly, in 2009, with 50 million uninsured and 50 million underinsured, private insurance has failed. The 2010 "affordable care act" bails out the insurance industry, but leaves the employer and the employee holding the bag.
Until we establish a new system unassociated with employment, like improved Medicare for all, costs will remain uncontrolled, premiums will rise incrementally, employers and employees will opt out of insurance coverage, and our citizens will continue with inadequate access, medical bankruptcies, and unnecessary deaths.
Is this what we want for America?
Richard Propp, MD
Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare, Albany