Insurance battle constant

In his letter, J. Gary Post (“Cost mirrors quality,” June 12) posits that “The ones in this country who want ‘national health care’ are the 40 percent who pay no taxes.” I am happy to share with Mr. Post that my husband and I are among those calling for a single-payer health plan or, at the least, a public option.

Not only did we pay more than $10,000 in taxes last year, we easily paid another $20,000 in a combination of out-of-pocket health costs and health insurance premiums. And, yet, our care was rationed – by the health insurance industry to which we faithfully paid our premiums all our working lives.

Now that my husband – a cancer patient – needs treatment, it’s a constant battle with our insurance company just to get regular claims paid. I’m not talking about experimental treatments, just the coverage they’re supposed to provide.

On another occasion, when my husband needed a waiver for the out-of-network Coumadin clinic, the insurance company denied our request. Days later, he nearly died from internal bleeding. Thanks to the skill and speed of our local emergency responders, his life was saved.

Now, that’s rationing of care.

Doreen Fox Kelsey

Spokane