This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Speaking — a friend tells me — should be true, necessary and kind. Allen Christensen's opinion ("Medicaid money is not the Utah way," July 6) does not meet these criteria.
First, the truth. He thinks Medicaid expansion is a bribe — which means accepting corrupt money. The ACA is the law, and we pay for it with our taxes, whether or not the poor benefit.
Also, he implies that, without expansion, health centers and clinics will care for 61,900 individuals for free or sliding-scale fees. Untrue. The poor cannot afford sliding-scale fees. Food comes first. Clinics cannot offer services at no cost. People will utilize emergency services at higher costs than if covered by Medicaid.
Second, is his speech necessary? No. Mr. Christensen represents Weber, Morgan and Summit counties — yet he neglects the necessary care that his constituents rightfully require.
Third, is his speaking kind? No. He believes that adding "50,000 to 120,000 individuals to an already crowded medical system" is wrong; that some should have no insurance so that others can get their care first. How do his morals or spirituality justify this? The "Utah way" is to care for the poor and the sick. People are dying.
Jim Wetzel
Murray