Jarles Alberg: Sharing the health care load

Regarding J. Peder Zane’s July 29 column “What Obamacare supporters mean by ‘success’ ”: Zane’s $10K deductible would disappear with one medical emergency. If there is a cap on his policy, good luck with anything ongoing.

Before ACA, insurers gouged all people with health insurance to cover free services for the poor. Meanwhile, health expenses not covered by their policies have decimated many people.

I have been paying local hospitals about $100 a month since 2000 for things not covered by my health insurance. Were I poor enough, I could have free medical care.

With the ACA, the money needed to cover the poor is being spread around to all of the taxpayers, not just those of us who pay full price. Additionally, before the ACA, many people were unable to even buy health insurance. Anyone could be denied insurance for nearly any reason. Now all people have the opportunity to buy insurance.

Sorry about the $800, Zane, but our family of two is paying about $1,300 a month for health insurance even though I’m now on Medicare. I do thank him for helping me carry the load, but remember I’m also helping him with his subsidy while still paying my share for the poor.

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Jarles Alberg: Sharing the health care load."