Health Insurance

Andy Harris wants health insurance from the federal government? I'm shocked! This is the same Andy Harris, a Republican, who just won a seat to Congress from Maryland after signing a pledge to repeal the landmark health-care overhaul pushed by President Barack Obama and the Democrats. He thinks it's a vast conspiracy to socialize medicine. Same guy, right? So what's he doing asking questions about a federal, taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan at a private orientation meeting for freshmen?

The Maryland medical society and attorney general's office launched a website Saturday aimed at helping doctors file complaints with the state when insurance companies refuse to cover patient care. "Essentially, our goal was to educate our patients and our physicians that there is an avenue for these complaints," said Gene Ransom III, CEO of MedChi, the state medical society. "We thought, 'Let's make it easier.'" The site, called Insurance Watch, is hosted on the Internet by the medical society.

We are in a recession! I am a part time teacher. I will not qualify for assistance, but now President Obama wants to stick me with another bill. If I could afford health insurance, don't you think I would have bought it by now? I am too busy paying thousands of dollars in doctor bills that the health insurance does not cover for my children. Way to go, President Obama. Stick it to a struggling working mom. Job well done! I'd rather die free than be forced to pay for Obamacare! Sarah Richard

Health care reform will not be fixed by mandating health insurance. Why? I have a blue folder documenting all the medical bills the insurance does not cover because it is the patient's responsibility! We still have a lot of medical bills with insurance. Could it be worse? Yes. Could it be better? Oh yes, but this is not the reform we need! I have a master's degree. I am not offered insurance at my job. I won't qualify for assistance. I can't afford insurance. I have three children.

The federal government has awarded Maryland $36.5 million for its success at getting children enrolled in government subsidized health programs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday that Maryland was among 23 states that was awarded nearly $306 million in performance bonuses for enrolling children into Medicaid and the Children's Health Program. States qualify for bonuses by showing they have simplified the process of enrolling in the programs. They must also meeet goals of enrolling children living in the lowest income levels.

As a practicing endocrinologist, I write with heavy heart regarding your article on medical insurance ("Maryland braces for Supreme Court decision on health care reform law," June 19). Through the years of recession, several patients of mine lost their jobs and could not afford their office co-pays. Unfortunately, among them were people with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Even those with insurance had high deductibles and had to meet the cost of an office visit up front.

NEW YORK -- No wonder you don't understand the Clinton health plan. Its opponents have tried for months to confuse you, in hopes that you'd be scared away. If the public backs off, health-care reform-- if it passes at all -- will reflect the interests of the medical- industrial complex, not yours. The drumbeat of disinformation has been pounding away on three major issues:* Who's uninsured? The shoulder-shruggers say that those without coverage are mainly young workers who could buy health insurance but don't.

Gov. Martin O'Malley has said he wants Maryland to be a "national leader" in health care reform. Sometimes it's good to be a leader, but sometimes being a leader means you are the first to make costly mistakes. Following the lead of other states in implementing the new federal health care law would be better for both taxpayers and health care consumers in Maryland. Governor O'Malley made his "national leader" remarks when he appointed officials to the board of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.