Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Medicare right for all

The Spokesman-Review

Thanks to The Spokesman and to Dr. Robert Golden for the excellent guest article on health care (Sept. 12). After 34 years of practicing medicine, I agree completely with his analysis and conclusion that we should have Medicare for all Americans. In my practice, it was the private insurance companies who refused to pay for prescriptions that I wrote. They decided which cheaper drug could be used. Medicare never came between me and my patient.

As a retired Medicare beneficiary, I really appreciate the confidence I have that my medical care will be covered. The president is trying to change the “health care system” and I hope he succeeds, but a single-payer system would be better. The individuals crying about the government interfering in their lives should realize that “it ain’t 1776 anymore.”

Gary Petersen, M.D.

Coeur d’Alene

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-5098

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy