REGARDING "ONE Obama healthcare goal elusive" (Page A1, May 21), about the health insurance industry’s vague promise to reduce the rate of growth of its vast profits, here’s my question: Why do we need the insurance companies anyway?
How is it that so many developed countries are able to cover everyone, spend less on healthcare, and have significantly better health outcomes? They eliminated private insurance and instituted a public single-payer plan. But according to the article, Congress is apparently balking at an even tamer option: a public plan that would compete with the insurance industry. Why is Congress so reluctant to adopt a public plan? Follow the money that the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies "contribute" to members of Congress. There’s your answer.
Kate Cloud
Somerville
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