Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412220024
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cogent comments of the letter writer cited the dilemma of reducing health-care costs without adverse impact on care and services provided to patients. One suggestion was to reduce six-figure salaries of health-insurance executives.
The consternation felt by physicians elicited the comment, ``Pity the poor doctor caught between patient and payment source, strangled by purse strings.'' Roth's observations appear to be worthy of consideration by those interested in affordable health care. There may be others also worthy of ``pity.''
Pity the poor recipient of Medicare coverage whose premium costs will increase approximately 12 percent in January 1995. Many of them depend on Social Security benefits for most or all of their income.
Pity the poor worker whose deductions from salary to support the Social Security program have increased in recent years.
Pity the poor patient who no longer has a choice in determining some of the medical services and expenses required by medical facilities. Lewis-Gale Clinic, and probably others, require that all X-rays be reviewed by a radiologist after being examined by the attending physician - even the X-ray of a little finger.
Pity the poor individual unable to afford any health-insurance coverage. I'm certain many of them might favor reducing six-figure salaries of health-insurance executives as well as those of the few in the medical profession whose income falls in the six-figure range.
LYLE ZIMMER HUDDLESTON
More confusion concerning Santa
I HAVE strong objections to the picture of the African-American Santa Claus in your Dec. 4 newspaper. To perpetuate that kind of ethnic ``equality'' in the African-American community is fine, but it isn't appropriate for the general, literate (mostly white) public.
Santa Claus is a mythical character loved by young children. My young child often looks at the newspaper, and I don't want him to see this ridiculous portrayal of Santa Claus. Let's keep it underground and out of mainstream society. Kids today are confused enough already. Please don't add to the confusion.
CLAIRE E. SANDERS ROANOKE
Lessons for living come with AIDS
I'D LIKE to thank your correspondent and this newspaper for the excellent coverage of Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. The news story on Peggy Eaton (``Neighbors bring AIDS specter home'') was particularly important and meaningful to me. She's my mother.
There was one very important misconception I'd like to correct. The story mentioned that I was dying of AIDS. That's incorrect. I'm living with AIDS. In the AIDS community, it's called ``person living with AIDS.''
Now that I'm off that high horse, let me tell you what it's really like being a ``plwa.'' I'm gay and have a companion of six years. We own a home, pay a mortgage, pay taxes and own a new pickup truck. Three years ago when I found out I was HIV-positive, I wasn't surprised. I've always lived my life to the fullest, and I experienced gay life before anyone knew about this virus. However, the virus has no sexual preference. Be smart.
I know that attitude, determination and support of family and friends are at least 75 percent of the battle, and I wouldn't trade my support network for a cure. My wish is to whip this thing, and for everyone in the world to wake up and realize that we all have an energy source inside us. (Call it God, Jesus, Allah, or what you like.) We're all essentially the same creatures. And it's imperative that we learn to use that energy to take care of each other, or we're not going to continue to exist.
T. SCOTT EATON RADFORD
Parents support charter schools
I COULD hardly believe the arrogance of House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell as quoted in your Dec. 13 news story ``Cranwell castigates Allen ideas.'' He's quoted as saying the charter-schools plan is ``an all-out assault ... on education.'' Does Cranwell realize that Gov. Allen is doing what he was elected to do? Allen is one of few politicians of my time who is trying to keep his word to the voters who put him in office.
Concerned, and more important, informed parents want charter schools. We're tired of educrats who support Cranwell and like-minded politicians telling us that sound academics aren't what our children need.
The majority of Virginians want teachers and schools to be held accountable. We don't have that luxury now. We're forced to go along with curriculum changes that do not teach our children adequately. It's frustrating to see outcome-based methods being used in our classrooms under the buzzwords of cooperative learning, peer tutoring, developmentally appropriate practices and critical-thinking skills. What parents want are vigorous reading, writing and arithmetic curriculums. That's what charter schools will give us.
KATHIE TRENT KINGERY CHESTERFIELD
by CNB