It has been reported that Sen. Ron Wyden, along with several other Democratic senators, is not only against a single-payer health care plan, but also is averse to a government option plan, too. In other words, he is really against health care reform.

The private sector has been in control of America’s health all along and we see that we pay more for comparatively unfavorable outcomes for the nation as a whole. Their lobbying efforts will keep it that way. The private insurance companies are in the business of maximizing profits and executive compensation, which comes at the cost of affordable care. A proper government, nonprofit competitor would eventually drive the private sector out of business and good riddance. 

What few seriously consider is the outlandish unfairness of our current system. Private insurance companies cherrypick customers and there is little affordable recourse for those with serious pre-existing medical conditions. A government plan can be adjusted through exclusion of the most expensive, least effective procedures, premiums (based on ability to pay), co-pays and deductibles to provide different levels of basic care all at a breakeven cost, especially if items such as soda were taxed. Those who want maximum care can buy additional insurance. Besides, the private sector has never seriously promoted preventative care, which a government plan could.

Despite what you hear from the right, who promote the private sector capabilities, don’t think for a second that thousands of Americans aren’t dying unnecessarily each year due to lack of access to basic care, let alone the millions who are suffering needlessly. Just think of those costs to our economy. For decades, those congressmen who have stood in the way of real reform, usually because of the bribes they are taking, are guilty of negligent genocide. In a defensible system of justice they would have been in prison long ago. Apparently this indictment applies to Wyden now. Echo my thoughts.

John Zimmerman

Coos Bay