The coronavirus is a tragedy that will be felt for many years to come.
An inadequate healthcare system nationally and across states make it worse. For those with no or poor insurance, the resulting bills can make it a calamity from which they will never recover.
Waiting for testing or avoidance of hospital for cost reasons are already proving fatal for tens
of thousands, especially Hispanics and blacks.
How can this be in the richest country in the world?
Simple, greed by politicians who have created a health care system most favorable to the rich. One that costs roughly double per capita what Europeans pay, and delivers much less. Our doctors are paid more than in Europe, but not by much. The huge markups are in insurance
— because of overwhelming bureaucracy and huge salaries for executives — and in drug companies — whose markups result in costs that are double what Europeans pay. And in drug advertising, which is banned in Europe. Those TV ads for products aimed at diseases you have never heard of are expensive.
Americans have a terrible habit of always believing that we are #1. Having lived in England, Italy and France, I know that's not true in many instances. In health care we are not in the top 10. Under Trump, we are not even there in democracy.
Progressive individuals and companies learn from their mistakes. It's long past time our politicians did. You can help. Tell them they will lose your vote if they don't support health care restructuring and curbing presidential power.
Reelection — and the benefits that go with it — seems to be their strongest incentive.
Frank Fish, Taylorsville
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