Health care response

This is a reply to David Calvert’s March 27 letter:

I am 61 years old and among millions of uninsured Americans. I would gladly have insurance if I could afford it. Most companies won’t insure me because of pre-existing conditions. I work 45 to 60 hours a week operating my own small business, which pays the bills but not much else.

My tennis shoes come from Wal-mart, and 80 percent of my clothes come from the church thrift store, garage sales or flea markets.

I do have a cell phone, which was a Mother’s Day gift from my son, but that is my only phone. I do not have a home phone. A routine trip to a doctor’s office would pay my cell phone bill for three months. The cost for one month of insurance would pay my cell phone bill for six months. A trip to the emergency room would pay it for one year. 

I have an old computer to track bills and keep business accounts. Calvert is right that I should not drive my “luxury” car that I bought a year ago for $2,000 because I can’t afford its insurance. I bought it after the car I had for nine years — which I paid $3,000 for — was stolen.

I don’t smoke or drink.  Last time I went to an expensive restaurant, I was treated by my son. Likewise, the last trip I made was last summer.  I have conditions that require me to have an annual mammogram and Pap smear, but the last time I had a test was nearly 10 years ago. Yes, there are low-cost or even free exams, but what if they find something? I can’t pay to have it fixed, so I don’t go to the doctor.

My wish is for some type of health care plan that I could pay for and contribute my fair share. If I had money, I certainly would not hesitate to help others who could not afford insurance.

Pat Hall

Waco

Teacher firing

As the relative of a person who works for the Texas Education Agency, I found the recent firing of a teacher who snapped after being spat upon by a special education student of particular interest.

The public must know that the people who fill these jobs are very special. It takes so much patience to deal with the young people who have been placed in these special schools. The students often have disciplinary problems and use abusive language toward authority figures. They also can be physically abusive, as well.

I’m not saying the students are totally to blame, either. Many come from home backgrounds that offer nothing to encourage them to behave otherwise.

Any person who enters into the teaching profession is entering a battleground these days, especially those who work in the field of special education.

They have my sympathy and understanding.

L.C. Beeney

Hillsboro

Double standard

If the health care bill passed by the Democrats is so great, then why are the president, vice president, their families and staff excluded from it?

Why did the leadership of Congress — who jammed this bill down our throats — exempt themselves from it?

Why did Democratic senators defeat an amendment to this bill — introduced by Republicans — that would have included all of the above-mentioned?

Nell Helcamp

Hamilton