Letters: Americans need emancipation from health care hassles

Now that health care reform, managed-care style, has gone the way of Clinton care, David Broder's timely review of the health care situation certainly hit the mark.

It shows, pointedly, that nobody is willing to address the real issues and provide a comprehensive program for all consumers. As Broder suggested, the solution must link cost, coverage and quality concerns in one marketable program.

May I respectfully propose that Congress enact the Health Consumer Freedom Act of 1999 next session. HCFA should be structured to emancipate the consumer to access the health system in new and innovative ways. It should permit providers and insurers to concentrate on the cost, coverage and quality issues in a coordinated manner and specifically include those with little or no medical coverage in the mix.

It's time, as we approach the year 2000, for Congress to use a Lincolnesque attitude and emancipate us all.

Henry Gothelf

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