• Medicare for all • Understanding Jones Act • Mahalo for stopping • Better system needed for sobriety check
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Medicare for all
While heartened by the Supreme Court’s upholding of the Affordable Care Act, I was reminded recently that more work is needed to create a compassionate health care system for all Americans.
I spoke with a woman who has lost her job, and then had gotten sick with cancer. Losing insurance from her employer, she got coverage from the state’s Quest program. Now that coverage is ending and the hospital she goes to is cutting off the treatments that keep her alive.
She has applied and been approved for Social Security Disability (which is not a handout, but insurance that all working people pay for). The catch is, it takes at least two years to receive benefits once you are approved.
But she is sick now. She may die before she ever gets a single payment to enable her to purchase the care she desperately needs.
This is why we need to create a Medicare for all, universal health care system. That’s the only way to ensure that no one dies, suffers, goes bankrupt or loses their home to foreclosure because they get sick and cannot afford health insurance. That nightmare must be ended: it’s inhumane.
To the argument that we just cannot afford it, I say all the other industrialized nations have found a way make universal health care work. Surely, we ingenious, inventive Americans can create a cost-effective system. It will take a strong, coordinated fight, lobbying relatives and friends. For the sake of compassion we have to try.
David Thorp
Koloa
Understanding Jones Act
Thank you, Mr. Roversi, for your editorial regarding the Jones Act. I’m pleased that we’ve got a discussion going here.
When writing to The Garden Island there is a 250-word limit. Much is left unsaid from my end with that limitation.
My main concern, and you seemed to agree, is the $3,000 a each year it is costing us here in Hawai‘i.
When I inquired about two cruises that sail back to back from Honolulu to Seattle, with Ensenada in the middle, I researched the Jones Act and inadvertently learned about this cost which is way more aggravating than the fact that I can’t sail on this two-cruise itinerary. The Jones Act has all kinds of provisions that are antiquated and just plain stupid.
The Jones Act states passengers on board foreign flagged cruise ships must embark and disembark in the same U.S. port of call, or, if the cruise embarks in one U.S. port of call and disembarks in a different U.S. port of call, they must have a port of call in another continent. A passenger can take a Panama Canal cruise embarking in Ft. Lauderdale and disembarking in San Diego because the ship will stop in South America. Passengers cannot board a cruise ship at any U.S. port of call and disembark in another U.S. port of call without infringing on the Jones Act.
I agree with your editorial that there is more to understanding this act and its ramifications. Neither of us have done so just yet.
Gayle Hughes
Kalaheo
Mahalo for stopping
This is a thank you for the nameless couple who stopped to help me when my hood flew up and hit the windshield near ‘Ele‘ele.
Thirty cars passed by before someone stopped to help. Without a working cell phone I felt panic until I felt the arm of a comforting woman, who made a 911 call. I have been able to thank her.
Then a man and his wife came to my aid. He was able to pull the hood down, though the spring had broken. He spent considerable time lying on the ground tying the hood down with whatever we could find.
I failed to get their names and they wouldn’t accept any pay. May they be rewarded for their kindness and know their act of compassion will bless them as it has blessed me.
Petra Sundheim
Kalaheo
Better system needed for sobriety check
I agree with Chris Worley’s letter on July 5. The PMRF celebration was wonderful — the entertainment, food and fireworks were awesome! But, unfortunately, the festive mood disappeared by the time we reached Koloa — three hours later.
It’s sad that a family event, with over 8,000 people in attendance, had to be subjected to such a ridiculous traffic situation. I pity all the families who had young children in their cars and were stuck in that bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours at that time of night.
If a sobriety check must be done following such an activity, a better system needs to be in place. Otherwise, it would be wiser to make it an alcohol-free event in the future, so that 8,000-plus people can expect to get home in a reasonable amount of time.
Lorri Banwell
Koloa
