Dear Editor,

The recent debate over health care leaves us all a little overwhelmed. I have a different take on this subject.

Let me share this thought with you. I spent over 30 years working for my company. Every three years the members of my union gave up sizable pay raises to get better health care.

We bargained in good faith, gave up good money to ensure that in our old age, we would have the benefits we needed. The younger people wanted the money, but we older folks prevailed and thought we were doing the smart thing for our retirement.

Then reality set in. As soon as we turned 65, we were dumped into Medicare. Our company insurance then became a secondary provider and provides very little toward our health care bills.

Why? Because the doctors and hospitals must agree to accept what Medicare pays. I have on two occasions been refused care because doctors didn’t participate in Medicare.

Just recently I was told that due to my age (66) they wouldn’t operate on my broken wrist. What will it be like under the President’s new health care system?

Common sense would dictate that people who have bargained for and paid for lifetime health care after they retire should be able to keep this coverage after age 65. Think of the money this would save Medicare.

Soon the baby boomers will fall into these rolls and Medicare will fall further into debt. I have written my Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito about this on more than one occasion. I get no reply.

Do we really want the government running our health care system after they have made these types of decisions? Name me one thing the government does that makes money.

It’s of little comfort to know that our Congressmen and Senators will not be on this plan they have in store for us. This should be our first clue that it’s not a good deal!

Earl W. Owens

Point Pleasant, W.Va.