As the recent Commonwealth Fund analysis indicates, the U.S. is last among 11 developed countries in health care quality and access. But at $8,508. per person we were close to double the cost of the top ranked country Switzerland. The United Kingdom’s cost per person was $3,406.

The health insurance companies, pharmaceutical industry, and HMO’s continue to amass profits at the expense of our resident’s health and pocketbooks. The Affordable Care Act will do little to alleviate our dire situation and why would it, the powerful insurance industry practically authored the bill.

For-profit health care will never be a good deal for the average American and will continue to worsen as costs climb. Unfortunately Congress is too indebted to the industry to reform the system, so we will remain a poor,sick country until enough of us demand a change.

Steve Musica
Richmond