To the Editor:
    I hope also Mr. Morin is also open to information and persuasion--
    Fareed Zakaria, international editor of Time magazine and CNN contributor, recently published an op-ed in which he cites a study by Novartis (pharmaceutical company) and McKinsey & Co., in which the study found in France, a larger population had lung disease than in the US, but with levels of severity and fatalities three times less than the US at eight times less costs; in Britain, their system was five times more effective in managing diabetes than us at half our costs.  We do treat breast cancer more effectively.  They do this by a systemic approach.
    Zakaria spoke with Daniel Vasella, chairman of Norvartis and a physician, pro-market forces and pro-American.  He said, quote, "It pains me to say this as a free-market advocate, but you have to have the government act in this case.  Health care is very complex.  Only at a systemic level can you figure out what works best based on the evidence; and what procedures/treatments are not worth the money".
    If Mr. Morin believes that charities are the avenues to help the poor with health care, he is misinformed.  There is not one church/civic group in our county that could take on the medical costs of one uninsured citizen.  It's just not doable.  Even co-pays can bankrupt.
Putting man on the moon was a public/private joint venture. There is no easy solution to this problem, but the current path is unsustainable.
 
Linda Jeanes
Bostwick

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition