Unhinged, unpatriotic

Capital (Annapolis, MD)

After reading Nick Berry's column (The Capital, Nov. 9) I was at a loss for words. I'm all for freedom of speech, but is treason also protected? Calling on foreign countries to unite and punish the United States?

I must admit I only read Mr. Berry to enjoy some smug comfort in his never-ending whining about the 2016 election results. And he never fails to please.

But seriously, it just might be time to cut the cord. Maybe you can find another columnist who is just as unhinged but a slight bit more patriotic.

K.M. HALL

Arnold

Insurance problem

In 2016, the Maryland Legislature passed the Contraception Equity Act mandating coverage for male sterilization under all insured group and individual insurance plans as "preventive care," paid with no cost share, effective Jan. 1, 2018. While our legislators were well-intentioned, their action will have significant financial consequences for consumers currently enrolled in qualified high-deductible health plans that allow them to make deposits to health savings accounts, or HSAs, with pre-tax dollars.

Female contraception is mandated by the Affordable Care Act under preventive care; male contraception is not. This means no one covered under an insured health plan or HMO will meet the requirements for a qualified high-deductible health plan and HSA contributions will no longer be permitted.

Thousands of Maryland employers and individuals have these plans and enjoy the tax savings afforded by pre-tax contributions to HSAs. Our legislators must find a way to exempt qualified high-deductible health plans from this mandate before Jan. 1.

The Internal Revenue Service has not yet confirmed the tax impact of this law. The Maryland Legislature does not meet until Jan. 11. Should the IRS determine this preventive service will be permitted, the problem will be resolved. If not, Marylanders will lose the benefit of their HSAs. Open enrollment is going on now and employers are deciding on plans to offer employees.

If you have an HSA, you should reach out to your state senator or delegate and ask that they take action to exempt qualified high-deductible health plans from this state mandate.

MARCIA P. FRIEDMAN

Edgewater

Trump, the draft

I wish to congratulate Lee Robinson (The Capital, Nov. 6) for providing us with his scholarly analysis on the shortcomings of the failure of Lucia Robson (The Capital, Oct. 30) to do her homework on Donald Trump's draft deferments.

Perhaps, he would be willing to provide us with even more details on Mr. Trump's unfortunate bone spur condition, which he discussed in interviews as preventing him from serving in the military. Or am I another victim of fake news?

BRENTON CAMPBELL

Annapolis