On PBS Newshour, I heard people explaining why they didn’t believe they should have to pay for health insurance when they were healthy. It reminded me of being chair of Spokane Education Association’s insurance committee. We had dental care included in our program, but not orthodontic care, and were getting inquires about adding that benefit. We found that we could add it for $7 a month per family. We did a survey of our membership and over 60 percent of our members did not want to add this expense to their budget. They didn’t need it; it was not added.

Several years later, a new volunteer asked to serve; his interest was with his four children who were going to need this service. He believed we could offer it ($7 a month) but it would be voluntary. Add it when you needed it; drop it when your need was ended. I asked him where the rest of the money would come from. He said, the insurance company. We asked him where they would get the money, and he said the bank.

He was a well-educated professional who didn’t see the problem. He couldn’t understand the problem. What’s new?

Harriett Jacobson

Spokane

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