INSURANCE: Travel is risky

I agree with Dennis Spencer that the health insurance program has become a debacle. Three years ago the BC Gold plan for a 30-year-old (earning just over the amount allowed for subsidy) was $269. Under the new KCN (Kootenai Network) plan, the premium is $412. Because my 30-year-old works construction throughout the Pacific Northwest, he will consistently be out of Network ($50,000 deductible). It will be cheaper to pay the federal penalty and apply the $412 monthly premium to doctor and hospital payments.

Everyone being switched to this must realize that if they go on vacation outside the Kootenai area, only life threatening situations will be covered. If you break a leg when out of the area, the initial ER visit will be covered, but any surgery will not. You will have to get yourself transported back to Kootenai to get coverage. So, not only have we lost competition with this plan, we are not able to travel outside of the Kootenai Care area without great financial risk on the line. Wake up America. Affordable Health Care is NOT affordable or portable for the middle class.

GLENNDA PARK

Post Falls