End Runs on Medicaid

To the Editor:
I am writing in regards to the editorial ‘End runs on Medicaid.’ For the past several years, congress has been trying to increase spending on Medicare and Medicaid programs only to have their proposals continually vetoed by President Bush. The Moratorium on passing laws about Medicaid seems like the only way to ensure that the Bush Administration does no more damage. At this point in time, congress and the senate are divided on the health care issue. The Moratorium would ensure that no drastic changes are made until there is a new house. Over the past year, I have seen an increase in interest in better funding for government run health care systems within my community and the government itself.
The Bush Administration has extended its power too far and it is imperative that the house take measures to prevent the Administration from creating long term consequences. While I understand why President Bush feels so strong a need to overstep his boundaries in some areas, I am unable to comprehend his reasoning behind cutting budgets on Medicaid. The Medicare and Medicaid programs are some of the few designed solely to help the United States’ population. What benefit does President Bush see in cutting their budget? If anything, we should be adding money to the Medicaid budget. After extensive study on the topic of health care and the role that the government plays in it, I still cannot understand why we do not have a better health care system. I understand the argument about keeping insurance companies in business, but what about the millions of people who are still uninsured? Shouldn’t they have health care as well?
The biggest issue with the Health care debate is that there are so many other issues that need to be taken care of. We have a failing economy, the dollar is dropping and gas prices are soaring. We are in the midst of a war and we still spend so much time on health care. Comparatively, health care is the least of our concerns. I believe that the house should stop revising health care laws and President Bush should stop vetoing them. After all, once enough people are out of jobs, they will not be able to afford health insurance and there will be an even greater need for government run health care.

'End runs on Medicaid.' Editorial. nytimes.com. May 27, 2008. <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/opinion/>