Letters to the Editor

Letter: Personal option in health care is the right prescription

How long until we have a health care system that meets the needs of the people? I continue to be shocked by how much health care costs and how hard it is to see prices up front.Our current system is so full of red tape, forcing people like me to jump through hoops just to get a little care and then surprising us later when the bill comes. There has to be a solution for the majority of Americans who feel that health care should be as easy as shopping at Walmart or Amazon. We deserve more choice and control.

We need a system that makes health care more affordable, transparent and responsive to patients and consumers. That happens by giving individuals and families control over their health care dollars. It’s about putting people over big insurance companies.The problem with government-run approaches — “Medicare for All” or the “public option” — is that it gives government bureaucrats way too much say over our health care, increasing costs and making it harder for people like me to get the care we need.

A personal option in health care is the antidote to these terrible proposals, because it would mean everyone has access to tax-free health savings accounts, insurance-free direct primary care plans and 24/7 telehealth that saves us time and money. Plus, I can keep seeing my longtime providers.We don’t need a complete gutting of the current system. But we do need lawmakers to step up and legislate these types of changes that would benefit all Americans. A personal option in health care just makes sense.

— John Wedelich

Anchorage

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