72 Percent of Americans who support a government- administered health plan 85 Percent of Americans who say the health care system needs fundamental changes ...more

June 21, 2009

As a recent retiree, I have been exposed to many inequities in our health-care system. Too many fingers in the pie. Too much misinformation. Way-too-small fine print. Fees that range from reasonable to "what!" ...more

May 7, 2009

Courage Deficit I thought the letter March 30 on "Economics 101" by Hugh Williamson was brilliant. It should be viewed by every American and acted on. The strategy seems so simple to understand, yet so difficult to act on. Are we too weak and dense to see where our immediate lack of control is taking us? ...more

April 1, 2009

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an abridged version of a story that appeared in The Tampa Tribune's Sept. 23, 1993, editions, when President Bill Clinton introduced his health care reform package. Because of congressional battles, the plan remained in limbo and ultimately went nowhere. In March 1995, the Government Accounting Office estimated the Clinton administration spent about $10 million without reforming health care. ...more

March 29, 2009

The health insurance industry offered Tuesday for the first time to curb its controversial practice of charging higher premiums to people with a history of medical problems. ...more

March 24, 2009

The financial crisis and the recession it spawned have created much confusion and uncertainty across the land. The causes of the downturn are hotly debated — and spun for political advantage. Solutions have, so far, remained elusive. ...more

March 20, 2009

I have to take exception to the quote from Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who said that if the government steps in to the health care system, "it will eventually push out the private health care plans millions of Americans enjoy today." ...more

March 12, 2009

Research With Embryos All of us began life as embryos. Aren't we lucky or blessed that no one put us in a dish and tore us apart in the name of "science"? ...more

March 11, 2009

I have just finished reading a letter (Beware Socialized Care, Letters, March 9) regarding an opinion on our healthcare system in Canada, and I take offense. I am a Canadian, as is my husband, and we have had quality care by the Canadian health system for more than 60 years. Between us we have had an appendectomy, gall bladder surgery, achilles tendon repair, eye surgery, two knee replacements, bowel surgery with five days in intensive care, ankle surgery and numerous other ailments not requiring hospital care. All occasions were handled promptly and excellently. ...more

March 10, 2009

It's very encouraging to see the Obama administration moving so quickly to address the health care crisis in this nation. That said, I know there are many who fear health care reform and think that it means socialism, limits to care and long waits. The truth is there are many examples of successful universal health care systems in the world, some probably more appealing to conservative Americans than others. And in a country like ours where a person goes bankrupt from health care costs every 30 seconds, it's time to start taking a look at them. In England (what we typically think of as "socialized medicine"), they pay for services through taxes and use a primary physician as a "gatekeeper" to keep costs down, similar to our HMOs. There may be wait times for elective services, but they are a leader in preventative medicine. ...more

March 8, 2009