I am writing in response to observations made by Gwen Johnson about universal health care. Although the U.S. may have the best-trained doctors, great medicines and wonderful medical devices, statistically, we do not have the highest rated health care in the world. We are rated lower in many categories than countries with “socialized” medicine.

Perhaps the cause of our lower rating lies along the same line that Canadians who can afford it come here for specialty medicine. We have the best health care in the world if you can afford to get it. Not everyone can.

Other countries may have lesser trained practitioners and older medicines but at least more people are able to receive medical attention. Doctor offices here are using physician assistants and nurse practitioners to be able to see more patients.

Some people seem automatically opposed to universal health care because they do not believe in “socialism.” Socialism occurs when people band together to accomplish or provide something for the common good. If medicine goes bad because people band together to provide health care for our needy neighbors, is it the banding together that is the problem?

If banding together to provide something for all the people is the problem, then we need to do away with the military, police, a free road system, public education, national weather services, national, state and local parks, etc.

Everyone believes in socialism to some extent. Is it just to the extent that it benefits them? Is it not to the greater good to help those in our society who have a health care need?

Kay Overcash

China Grove