letters to the editor – Protect seniors from Medigap premium increases

This is the time of year when the insured get advised of premium increases for the upcoming year. I was advised that my Medigap policy premium will increase more than 50%. Unfortunately, unlike for most other health insurance policies, Indiana does not require insurers to offer guarantee issue Medigap policies except in very limited circumstances.

Because of this and because most seniors have preexisting conditions, insurers can pass along significant premium increases without the risk of losing business to competitors. Other states are more progressive in this area and do have regulations that require insurers to offer guarantee issue policies throughout the life cycle of retirees.

To protect their seniors from uncontrolled premium increases, the Indiana executive and legislative branches should review and revise regulations with respect to Medigap guarantee issue regulations to enhance competition among the insurance companies that sell in the Indiana market. This is wholly consistent with the politics of reducing the effects of inflation on the senior citizen sector of the Indiana population and would provide much needed relief to a portion of the citizenry of Indiana whose income is largely fixed.

Anthony Gianoli, South Bend

Remembrance

On Sep. 11, I attended the 9 a.m. remembrance ceremony at the Standing Tall Freedom Memorial at St. Patrick's Park. Our first responders from all local areas showed up to help us remember the fallen. Thank you to all of those firefighters and paramedics and police who help us to never forget the occurrences of that very sad day in America.

We came together as a country in a beautiful way in those days directly after the attacks − united in our resolve to protect the USA and the freedom it represents to the entire world. We held our American flags up high and flew them from porches and businesses everywhere. We are very fortunate to have a 9-11 memorial in St. Joseph County. It is a place where we can bring our children, so that they, too, know we can never take for granted the liberties we have.

Thank you to all the members of our local community who contributed to our local 9-11 remembrance ceremony.

Amy Drake, Granger

Representing

Which veterans was Jackie Walorski representing when she did not hold the man responsible for the attack on our Capitol accountable? Her name should not be on a VA clinic.

Mike Morse

U.S. Navy 1969-1973

Mishawaka