Maine Letters and Opinion – Page 2

The View From Here: Unions shouldn’t fight health care reform

The View From Here: Unions shouldn’t fight health care reform A Nevada union’s self-interested campaign puts it on the side of an unworkable status quo. by GREG KESICH – EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OF THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD https://www.pressherald.com/2020/02/16/the-view-from-here-unions-shouldnt-fight-health-care-reform/ I am a union member. I have health insurance provided by my employer. I fought for it at the bargaining table. And it stinks. I feel I need to...

Maine Voices: Growing number of doctors coming out in favor of universal care

Growing number of doctors coming out in favor of universal care The nation’s second-largest physicians group backs single-payer or a public option, and the AMA has quit an anti-reform coalition. By Daniel C. Bryant, M.D.Special to the Press Herald CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine https://www.pressherald.com/…/maine-voices-growing-number-…/ During recent debates over health care reform, opponents of “Medicare for All” (“single-payer”) have often argued that physicians would suffer because, to pay for...

Mainers deserve publicly funded health care

This letter was originally published in the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel January 24, 2020 To the Editor: A recent study by Maine Center for Economic Policy on behalf of Maine AllCare (available at maineallcare.org) showed that a universal, publicly funded health care system covering every Maine resident could save Maine $1.5 billion in total health care spending. This report went to our governor, legislators and the media —...

‘Everyone covered, Nobody left out’

This letter to the editor by Beedy Parker of Camden, Maine was originally published in the PenBay Pilot. You can read the original letter HERE. January 25, 2020 To the Editor: A report came out recently, by the Maine Center for Economic Policy for Maine AllCare , that examines the current state of cost of health care in Maine. Maine AllCare’s goal is “Everyone covered, Nobody left...

Maine needs to create better health care

January 15, 2020 Originally published online in The County, e-news of the Aroostook Republican, the Houlton Pioneer Times, and the Star-Herald To the editor: I am a “consumer” of health care with a Medicare Advantage plan. I would much rather be a “patient” like I was in the late 1950s when I birthed my three babies in a four-day stay for each at a local hospital. With...

Study Shows Universal Healthcare in Maine Could Cover Everyone — and Cost Less

Maine has waited long enough. For years now, America has famously had the world’s highest health care costs among developed nations — yet has the lowest health care quality. Why? Because the middleman in our healthcare system has been the private insurance industry, which by almost any sensible measure has failed the American people. The industry accepts massive taxpayer subsidies yet rations access to doctors and quality...

Single-payer would give U.S. patients, caregivers more control over health care system

Maine Voices: Single-payer would give U.S. patients, caregivers more control over health care system Weaker campaign finance laws have enabled insurers and Big Pharma to create a system that benefits only them. BY JOSHUA GEAR – SPECIAL TO THE PRESS HERALD – DECEMBER 3, 2019 https://www.pressherald.com/2019/12/03/maine-voices-2-2/ YORK — As a medical student, I remember HMOs being touted as the answer to the spiraling costs of health care...

Fixing our health care system’s intrinsic problems

Columnist misconstrues intent of ‘Medicare for All’ It’s about fixing our health care system’s intrinsic problems, not ‘the mechanics of insurance.’ https://www.pressherald.com/2019/11/10/letter-to-the-editor-columnist-misconstrues-intent-of-medicare-for-all/ Reading Dr. Leana S. Wen’s Oct. 20 commentary, “Can we stop talking about Medicare for All?” (Page D1), I felt that she, as a professional on the front lines, gave excellent examples of major issues with our current health care system, such as the closing...

Mainers need consistent dental care

Mainers need consistent dental care Dentists’ annual free clinics are a gift, but it will take legislative funding to ensure that thousands of Maine adults get regular services. https://www.pressherald.com/2019/11/09/letter-to-the-editor-mainers-need-dental-care-every-day/ Last Friday’s winds blew cold as folks lined up outside dental offices, each uninsured and anxious to get treatment at no cost. For 11 years now, Dentists Who Care for ME has held free clinics offering cleanings, fillings...

A public option is not enough – Maine needs universal coverage

Maine Voices: A public option is not enough – Maine needs universal coverage By Dr. Julie Pease, Special to the Portland Press Herald, September 16, 2019 pressherald.com/2019/09/16/maine-voices-public-option-is-not-enough-maine-needs-universal- TOPSHAM — In reaction to public support for universal health care coverage, some Maine health care reform advocates promote a public option. From my perspective as a physician who has advocated for universal coverage, a public option is not enough....

Category: Maine Letters and Opinion