Letter: Health care costs keep rising
(Elise Amendola | The Associated Press) In this June 15, 2018, file photo, twenty dollar bills are counted in North Andover, Mass. Default on your federal student loans and the government can take up to 15 percent of each paycheck to satisfy your debt. The Education Department can also withhold federal benefits like tax returns and Social Security payments. Garnishment is an effective tool to recoup unpaid loans, private collection agencies enlisted by the Education Department took in over $841.6 million via wage garnishment in the 2018 fiscal year, but it inflicts serious financial strain on borrowers who are already struggling.
Despite all of the thoughtful, well-reasoned letters in support of Proposition 3, they seemingly have very little effect on Medicaid expansion opponents in the Utah Legislature. Their main argument against is increasing future costs.
Of course costs will increase, as they will for everyone. It makes no difference whether you have coverage through your employer, Medicare, what's left of the ACA or self-pay. Our health care costs will continue to rise at rates well above inflation, as they have for decades. It's the American way.
What might be more even more effective is to call out these folks on the Hill for what they really are: either amoral or immoral. This comes much closer to hitting the nail on the head while spilling much less ink.
Lynn Maland, Millcreek
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