Mr. Callentine expresses some valid thoughts on Collective Health Care, but he misses the mark on some important points. He seems to categorize American citizens as being among the wealthy or the poor. This is not the case.

The American health care system is capable of providing health care that is equal to or better than anyplace else on earth. Unfortunately, the costs associated with this health care are very high. there is a "get what you pay for" factor. The American health care system also does a pretty good job of taking care of those who absolutely cannot care for themselves. The "haves" are already subsidizing the "have-nots". We have Medicaid. We have Medicare. We have hospitals that simply absorb a certain amount of unpaid medical care.

The real complication occurs for those who are neither "haves" nor "have-nots". As the economy weakens, some people who are otherwise responsible and self-sufficient find themselves in a position where they cannot afford health insurance. Large companies are able to provide insurance to their employees at very reasonable prices. The self-employed are subject to the vagaries of the market. At one point when I was self-employed, my health insurance cost tripled from one month to the next based on my age, marital status, and the place I lived.

I had assumed that COBRA plans were just a continuation of existing insurance, but with the insured footing the whole bill. When my girlfriend was laid-off a few years ago, we discovered that the plans do not necessarily match. The COBRA plan was about $450.oo per month and had more loop-holes in it than Swiss cheese.

This is not an inviting choice when facing unemployment. Do you spend your nest-egg at an increased rate, hoping you don't run-out of money before you find a job? Do you marshal your resources and take your chances?

A hit-and-run accident while walking to the grocery store could cost you your house in medical bills.

Some retirees who think they are adequately insured may not be if they encounter a catastrophic illness. The health care system may save their lives while rendering them bankrupt or homeless.

I do not have all the answers. My observation is that the middle class is in an extremely delicate situation right now with respect to health care. The means to provide good health care is present, but in more cases than you might care to imagine, it can only be accessed at the cost of utter financial destruction. This will only create more poor people.

Brad Babcock

Lakewood