Health care bind

We keep hearing most of our Republican leaders tell us how our state simply cannot afford to expand Medicaid for those not covered or able to purchase health insurance. It is my understanding that the people not now covered are not the lazy ones; they are working but not receiving sufficient pay to purchase insurance, or are not receiving insurance benefits from employers.

I don't look at affordable health care as an entitlement in the negative sense. I think it should be and is an entitlement for those holding jobs who are trying to support themselves and their families. I know there is always a question as to whether a person is doing his/her best to support himself, but that should not be the reason to deny coverage.

As I have studied the issues our legislators have been faced with, it is apparent that the increased needs (roads, law enforcement, education, infrastructure, etc.) of the increased population in our state are costing the state more than the revenue being generated by the tax subsidized from new businesses. We have been watching the increased cost of health care the last several years forcing higher education to take more of the income tax revenue that used to be devoted to K-12 public education. We are in a kind of bind, having attracted new businesses to our state with the promise of lower taxes, now knowing that we need to raise taxes to cover essential services, or cut essential services.

How can we brag about our economic stability when we are not even willing to provide for the essential welfare of those deserving the help in our state?

Fred Ash

Sandy