Everyone deserves access to decent health care.

My mother died from colon cancer in 2009. During the two years that followed her diagnosis, she ran up a little over $500,000 in medical expenses. Medicare paid all of those expenses, just as it should have.

My mother-in-law had myriad health problems prior to her passing that same year. At one point, she spent about three weeks in intensive care at Vanderbilt; her expenses totaled about $800,000. Again, all of her expenses were paid – just as they should have been.

Contrary to the misguided beliefs of some, this is not an economic problem with moral repercussions. It is a moral imperative with economic implications. There is a huge difference.

It especially appalls me anytime I see a jar sitting on a counter at store with a child’s picture on it along with something like “needs kidney transplant.” We are the richest nation in the world and we still have this nonsense going on.

As is the case with individuals, where societies choose to allocate their resources is a reflection of their values. Personal responsibility and initiative are important, but so is facing reality. No American should ever be forced into bankruptcy because of a catastrophic injury or illness.

Are their abusers of the system? Of course there are. There are abusers in any system. But stop trotting them out like they are the “norm” instead of the exception. We need to stop trying to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don’t punish everyone for the offenses of a few.

If you want to repeal Obamacare, fine. Repeal it. But before you do, at least offer an alternative that doesn’t involve panhandling on the street for medical treatment that should be readily available to everyone in a so-called advanced society.

Aaron W. Hughey

Bowling Green