Safe and Affordable Health Care for All

By A. R. "Cecy" Groom

There are 43 million Americans who have no heath care coverage, and for those that do have insurance, the prevalance of Managed Care (HMO's) has changed the way doctors treat their patients.

A recent newspaper article stated that HMO premiums would rise by as much as 10% and more in the State of California. This cost is put on the employer who then passes it on to the employee. Unfortunately, people insured will pay more for less service. Health care providers are slashing services and closing down hospitals throughout the State of California.

Our HMO's need to be scrutinized in order to prevent abuses such as depriving patients or participants of needed medical care, testing, or therapies. Why should the insurance claims adjusters make decisions that affect YOUR health. Doctors need to be able to spend enough time with their patients to make an appropriate diagnosis. People seeking health care should not be treated like cattle.

Access to quality, affordable health care must be a right, not a privilege; therefore, I support the Patients Bill of Rights.