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First World health care

Several writers discussing the Affordable Care Act have used the word “forced” incorrectly. If one wishes not to enroll in health insurance, a tax must be paid. The option is to pay for insurance or pay the tax. There is a choice. If one drives, one must buy auto insurance.

Look, anyone who had health insurance prior to the ACA was paying for people without insurance as well. Regardless of how one feels about the ACA, the United States is finally joining other First World nations by acknowledging health care for all citizens forges a stronger nation, which sounds like a notion any red-blooded American could stand behind.

The saddest part regarding the ACA and other crucial issues facing our beloved country is that instead of copying the best-working system found worldwide, Americans continually choose to reinvent the wheel, usually poorly. The construction of the wheel is perverted by lobbyists and deep pockets.

Steve Lacombe

Spokane

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