Insurance industry puts profits before health

Insurance companies have been announcing double-digit rate increases and record profits. The health care mess is a prime example of why business and government are incompatible. The goal of business is to maximize profit. Government is about getting service to people who need it.

We have, for decades, tolerated a health care system that rewards businesses for denying services. Not surprisingly, they frequently deny such services by refusing to cover those who need medical care, by denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and by limiting availability of new or experimental treatments. They add their profits and operating costs on top of our cost for being treated. They override decisions by our doctors and use their treasuries to buy favorable legislation from Congress and state legislatures.

Insurance companies will never stop doing those things because their purpose is to make money, not provide health care. So tell me again, why it is that I am supposed to be afraid that the government might operate an alternative?

Joyce DeBoy

Marion