Single payer would help my company and workers

In response to Jim Cannon’s Jan. 12 letter, “A Single-Payer Health System Isn’t Realistic”: Not only is single payer realistic, but it also is the only universal, equitable and affordable solution to our current broken health care system.

Years ago, my company was able to cover the full health care costs of my employees. Over time, my health care costs have dramatically escalated and I have had no choice but to burden my employees with a restricted network of providers, rising copayments and increasing deductibles.

In 2010, when President Barack Obama enacted the Affordable Care Act, I was optimistic that the SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) Marketplace would enable me to offer an affordable, enhanced health care solution. Unfortunately, we experienced increased premiums and reduced coverage.

The time for single payer has come. The Pennsylvania Health Care Plan, House Bill 1688, will be reintroduced toward the beginning of this new legislative session. Under this bill, my employees would have no deductibles, no copayments and a choice of providers. Funded by both employers and employees, it is a middle-of-the-road win/ win solution for all, resulting in cost savings for companies and their employees.

Medical providers would be able to spend more time with their patients, instead of dealing with insurance companies. Small-business owners could focus on growing our businesses instead of spending time evaluating health care plans.

For more information, please go to www.healthcare4allpa.org. ANITA PRIZIO

President Pittsburgh Crankshaft Service

Inc. Larimer thoughts.

I am a conservative Republican and D.H. Gorny is a Democrat, yet I think we would have great conversations about politics — some lively and passionate disagreements, while at the same time a respect for each other and our differences.

I also believe she is accurate (as far as I know) when she states that there did not seem to be an overt display of disrespect during the 2008 and 2012 elections. Sure, there was plenty of opposition and opinions were spoken, but nothing to the degree that we are currently seeing from those who refuse to accept that Hillary Clinton has lost and Donald Trump will be our new president.

The American people have spoken. It is time to get over it, quit the whining, grow up and give Mr. Trump a chance.

Too many people have let their political differences come between their relationships with family and friends. How sad and shameful. LORI LIPTAK-DOWNEY

Turtle Creek

I am planning to go to the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., this weekend with my daughter and several friends. I’ve been thinking about what I’d say if I were asked: Why are you here? This is my answer.

I’m here — as a woman, a mother and a citizen of a democracy I feel is under threat — to register a public protest against a president who has:

• Systematically demeaned and insulted women and promoted policies that would roll back their rights and freedoms.

• Supported measures that would discriminate against and victimize minorities and immigrants.

• Refused to release his taxes, so we have no idea what sorts of debts and obligations he has to foreign powers.

• Refused to divest himself of business ties that would compromise his ability to act in the country’s best interests.

We welcome your opinion

• Accepted help in his election bid from a foreign dictator who appears to have the power to blackmail him.

• Vilified and marginalized the press, as is the habit of authoritarian leaders, to the point where facts are routinely ignored.

• Stocked his Cabinet with vested interests who seek to undermine the departments they lead.

• Demonstrated a complete lack of self-control in the face of criticisms along with a tendency toward bullying and vindictiveness.

• Lied so constantly and effortlessly that it raises questions as to whether he’s tethered to reality at all.

I want my fellow Pittsburghers to know that this march is not about sour grapes after a lost election — my party has lost elections before — but about serious concerns about what this reckless, ill-prepared, ethically compromised and poorly led administration will mean for a country we love. MARIE NORMAN

Squirrel Hill