Letter: Kuster is better
Imagine an individual living in New Hampshire whose daily torments include arthritis, asthma, hypertension, neuropathy, and partial paralysis. Monthly resources are $755 from Social Security and food stamps. Should the Republican reform of Medicare become law, if this individual is less than 55, he would receive a fixed amount (voucher) to purchase insurance when he becomes eligible for Medicare.
We are owed an answer to what happens if the voucher is inadequate to purchase an insurance policy that will cover such an individual.
Politicians talk loftily about groups but, with few exceptions, groups do not become sick, individuals do.
A better course of reform would include medical homes, bundled payments, control of hospital readmission, and rewarding quality, such as proposed by Democrat Ann McLane Kuster.
I have known both candidates for our 2nd Congressional District and hold each in great respect. But in the end, I have no confidence that a Republican Congress is able to negotiate, cooperate or otherwise move toward any course other than their own.
Party ideology drove us to brink of disaster over raising the debt ceiling and a similar move is just around the corner on Dec. 31 when the current tax cuts expire along with the mandated defense cuts.
I support Kuster as our best hope for a sane, responsible and reasoned future without forgetting those Americans most in need.
Dr. JAMES W. SQUIRES
Hollis
(The writer is the former president of the New Hampshire Endowment for Health and a former state senator.)
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