Current system is good in what way?

I view reactions to the Affordable Care Act by some readers of The Herald with disbelief. Some decry their “loss of freedom” or they express agitation at the thought of a new tax. Writers declare indignantly that they are certain America will soon face bankruptcy.

For all the naysayers, I would only share some of the facts that disturb me about our health care before the ACA. Our system is the most expensive on earth. The World Health Organization ranks our quality of care at 34th. Our life expectancy is mediocre. The most common reason people file bankruptcy in this country is they cannot pay a medical bill. Tens of millions do not have medical insurance. When they get sick, the uninsured visit an emergency room, the costliest form of health care delivery. If they do not visit the emergency room, they stay sick. Insurance companies make profits that would make anyone, but an American, blush. Ironically, the rest of us already pay for our woeful inefficiency!

I cannot help but wonder why so many people think highly of the old system when it costs so much and performs so poorly? Maybe, the people who comment negatively are not thinking critically about health care. Perhaps, they are spouting canned ideology.

Gosh! If the Seahawks were consistently ranked 34th in the National Football League we would be screaming at the top of our lungs!

How can we possibly be worse off than we are without the ACA?

William Mezger

Lynnwood