‘Our Health Care Is Sick’

Where can I sign up for that national health program? I am one of those 22% of all Californians who have no medical insurance. I would certainly like to have insurance, but I cannot find anybody who will sell me any at a reasonable price.

Last year I decided to become self-employed--the American dream. I am responsible to myself. I love it. I earned more as a salaried worker, but the satisfaction I derive from my independence more than makes up for the loss in income. But the health insurance companies are not interested in me, not at all.

I have been willing to pay my own doctor out of my pocket when he treats me for strep throat or a cut foot, but I am concerned with the (I hope) remote possibility of a serious accident or illness. Nobody wants to sell me insurance that would cover such a catastrophe, except for an absurdly high premium of upwards of $1,000 a month. So I’m stuck. And the state will be stuck for the bill if I (God forbid) do require lengthy hospitalization, because I will have to file for bankruptcy. That notion does not appeal to me at all.

Instead I would love to take part in a national health program, wherein I could pay a fair share of my earnings in return for good health care. All I ask for is the opportunity to participate in a health insurance program; at the moment there is none which will have me.

CLEMENT SALVADORI

Laguna Beach