Government has role in ensuring health care

A senior citizen recently wrote that she is scared and speculates that many other seniors share her fear about the spending on the stimulus package and proposed spending for universal health care.

Let us not forget that the economy failed under the last administration and the bailouts started before President Barack Obama took office.

She states that universal health care is not needed. Easy for her to say since she is enjoying government-run insurance -- Medicare -- as am I.

The AARP and millions of its members support the health care bill, as does the American Medical Association. I don't have to worry about good health insurance, but I do worry that my children and grandchildren will not be able to afford health care if the current trends of skyrocketing premiums and coverage denials continue.

Huge profits and obscene CEO salaries drive the private insurance companies, and the government needs to step in to create a level playing field. No one should be denied adequate medical care in this country because he or she cannot afford it.

Beverly Leick

Hilton Head Island