Letter: Is health care a necessity or luxury?

• Published: Jul 6, 2009 - Page: 4B

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I am troubled by the criticism of the need for health-care reform and what that criticism says about our values as Americans.

Perhaps it is time to examine our beliefs, both individual and collective.

Is health care necessary to life, such as air and water, or is it a luxury, like a car or a vacation?

Should health care be reserved for only those with the ability to pay?

We have laws that require parents to obtain appropriate medical care for their children or face neglect charges. How can one be charged with neglect for failure to purchase a luxury?

Why are emergency rooms required to treat the sick and injured?

Until now, we have been very good at avoiding meaningful discussion about our beliefs on health care. Does our current health-care system reflect our beliefs and values?

I encourage you to think about your beliefs and then to ask others: “Is health care a necessity or a luxury?”

Denise Jones
accountant
Baton Rouge