HEALTH: Advice for Rep. Labrador

Our esteemed Congressman, Mr. Labrador, recently sent out his regular email newsletter. Good for him — at least he is attempting to communicate with the masses. However, he made a few statements (well, more than a few, actually) concerning health care that I take issue with.

First, “Obamacare is already responsible for rising health insurance premiums…”

So why did Congress pass it? Oh yeah, because NO congressman read the 800-page behemoth before voting on it!

Second, “We need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with…market-based solutions…”

I agree we need to repeal the Affordable Care Act (“Affordable” — what a despicable joke to play on ourselves!), but we do NOT need to replace it with market-based solutions. Why? Because market-based solutions are PROFIT-based solutions; and until we take the profit out of health care (especially insurance) we will be forever at the mercy of the health-care industry that cares more about owners’ equity than they do about healing people.

Until WE THE PEOPLE realize that it is in our collective best interest to have a healthy citizenry, we will continue to see our national health care degrade until only the richest will be the healthiest. Then again, if we’re too weak to pick up a torch or pitchfork, I guess the rich folks will be OK, right?

Here’s a quarter, Mr. Congressman. Go buy a clue.

JOE LYKINS

Coeur d’Alene