September 16, 1993

It is interesting that TIME pictures Clinton's Health Plan with stars and stripes, possibly signifying our patriotic duty to support it. In fact, the U.S. health situation as it now stands is wholy un-American. It cannot be American to exclude single women with children from a health plan because they cannot afford the premiums. It cannot be American that faithful Americans do not take their kids to the doctor because of the cost. Even those of us who are dishing out $6,000 a year for health coverage find it nauseating to have hospital stays that still force the family to come up with an after-insurance-cost of 4 or 5 thousand dollars when they already pay that much a year in premiums. Finally, it is not American for partakers of the health system to virtually file bankruptcy trying to meet health-care expenses while many health-care professionals, including drug company officials and insurance executives, jet off to Australia or foreign islands to look over their investments. Health care as it now stands in America portrays an ugly America. TIME is right; it is time for a change.

Dale Hill

• (It made it in TIME!!!!!! I received a card on Tuesday that said something like, We liked what you said. We are sure many others would like to read your opinion as well. The letter was the first one on the Letters page, in the October, first week edition. I am still hooked on letters, though, and continue to more in my thoughts, every once in a while.)