President Barack Obama has pledged to reform health care this year to make quality care available for all. He proposes to allow you to keep your current plan and doctor if you like them. He also is proposing a public insurance option, similar to Medicare. This plan can cover the 47 million who do not have health care coverage, those who lose their jobs and those who can't get coverage in the private sector.

Some in Congress and in the health insurance industry will try to scare you and call this "socialized medicine" and "too expensive." Be aware, this is just fear-mongering intended to protect the status quo and not what is best for the average consumer. Regarding cost, the United States already has the most expensive health care system in the world. We spend 50 percent more than the next most expensive country. We just need to spend our money more efficiently.

Please go online and listen to President Obama's address on health care, on June 11 in Green Bay, Wis. (www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/health/jan-june09/greenbay_06-11.html), then give your input for health care reform.

Mark Rothacher

Salt Lake City


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