The immoral minority | April 12, editorial
Lack of insurance carries big price
The impasse over the extension of Medicaid benefits to all qualified Floridians is a disgrace. As a cardiologist who has worked at two Florida safety net hospitals — Tampa General and most recently UF Health-Jacksonville — I have witnessed the impact of lack of adequate insurance coverage on the health and safety of Florida's most vulnerable citizens. Delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and lack of preventive and follow-up care result in increased infant mortality, reduced life expectancy and increased costs compared to other economically advanced countries.
Superimposed is the excessive burden placed on the state's safety net hospitals by referral of patients who lost or do not have health insurance, often triaged by use of the "wallet biopsy," a procedure that even Tony Soprano knew was wrong. In June, the safety net hospitals are scheduled to lose federal subsidies to the Low Income Pool that compensates them for uninsured care, greatly magnifying their economic exposure. It is curious and disappointing that many of those who benefit from government health insurance, the elderly (Medicare) and veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs), would want to deny that benefit to others less fortunate.
After comparing health care systems in Canada, the United Kingdom and France to the United States, my 2010 honors course undergraduate students at USF concluded that the United States had the most expensive and poorest performing system. This observation was mirrored by the Commonwealth Fund 2014 ranking of the health care systems in 11 countries. Britain's National Health Service ranked first.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature must address this problem. All Florida citizens have a right to health insurance and adequately supported hospitals. Failure to act is not an option. The cost of inaction will be borne by those least able to afford it.
Joel A. Strom, M.D., Tampa
The immoral minority | April 12, editorial
A Republican's words
Gov. John Kasich, Republican of Ohio, in support of expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, said: "When you die and get to the … meeting with St. Peter, he's probably not going to ask you much about what you did about keeping government small, but he's going to ask you what you did for the poor."
Words Gov. Rick Scott should reflect on.
Jeffrey Thofner, Tampa
Protected bear may be new target | April 14
Path to a cruel death
This article turned my stomach. Controlling the black bear population, if necessary, is a laudable goal. I was raised in a conservation-minded household of hunting and fishing enthusiasts, but I was struck by the proposed choice of weapons allowed to hunt the Florida black bear. These included bows and arrows, crossbows and muzzle-loading guns as well as rifles, pistols and shotguns.
Pardon my squeamishness, but allowing hunters in the field to subdue bears with bows and arrows, crossbows and muzzle-loading guns subjects the bruin to a potentially miserable end-of-life scenario.
Bringing down an adult bear with a 4- to 8-ounce arrow, crossbow bolt or muzzle-loaded ball is a feat of manly accomplishment to be bragged about for years, but wounding the bear without bringing it down is not. That subjects the bear to being superficially or internally wounded.
There is little chance to reload for hunters with these weapons. A wounded bear is not going to wait around for a second shot. The bear is probably going to lumber off into the brush to suffer and eventually die a miserable death. That's what turns my stomach.
Joe King, New Port Richey
Pope calls slaughter a true genocide April 13
Courageous comments
Pope Francis' statement regarding the slaughter of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks brings back many memories my parents shared with my brothers and me while growing up in Buffalo, N.Y. Our mother and father experienced those atrocities that took the lives of many of their family members. They both were able to navigate their way through Constantinople (now Istanbul) with surviving parents and relatives to Ellis Island to become citizens while both were under the age of 7.
The pope was courageous in the comments he made, especially as we get close to April 24, Armenian Martyrs Day, which is the 100th anniversary of the genocide.
Armenia is considered the first nation to recognize Christianity, back in the early 300s. Unfortunately, the bloodshed and terror that continues today in the Middle East is connected to those who caused atrocities against members of the Christian faith.
Thanks to the pope for a very strong and honest message to the world. Now it is time for President Barack Obama to keep his promise to denounce this genocide.
Joe Voskerichian, Tampa
2016 presidential campaign
Senators need not apply
No matter how bright, eloquent or promising, a first-term senator who thinks he or she is ready to be president is neither experienced nor knowledgeable enough to be successful at this difficult job.
The next man or woman to be president should be one who has served and been re-elected as the chief executive of a diverse, substantial state that has done well.
Dan FitzSimons, Clearwater
Looking backward
It is frightening to consider Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the White House, dismantling health care for millions of Americans while taking no action on the climate change that threatens to drown the very city where he announced his bid for president, Miami, while boasting that he wants to lead the nation into a "New American Century." My question for Rubio: Given your renunciation of humanity and science, what century is that — the 16th?
Jeffry Scott, St. Petersburg