When you fail to plan, plan to fail

Editor, The Commercial:

For quite a number of years, doctors and hospitals in this country have indulged in “cost shifting.” This means that those who must be treated by them, but don’t have either the means to pay or insurance coverage, are supported by the insured or well off patients. This can be viewed as an immoral practice or by some as their right.

President Obama’s plan, now in its second year, was intended to stop this practice, but keep all citizens who need care insured. Younger and healthier folks often refuse to carry insurance. But when the unexpected need for care does arrive, somebody is going to pay. That charge will be added to the costs of the insured

The lawsuit now before the U.S. Supreme Court has been brought mainly by Republicans who despise President Obama and have at every opportunity opposed everything he supports. In many cases, they’ve reversed their stances on issues when Obama decided to support them!

I say you can refuse to buy insurance and cuss President Obama and any form of oppressive Big Government your small mind can or has conjured. But I also say that when you inevitably need medical services for yourself or for your dependents, you should be required to pay all of your own costs or be turned away. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

This country, after years of fighting Republicans, private insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies, now has a chance for all to pay their fair share of medical care costs and have decent coverage. Republicans want to keep private business in total control and continuing to make scads of cash at the expense of the ill, the aged and vulnerable.

Karl Hansen

Hensley