Republicans and health care

Serving on the Oklahoma State Board of Governors for the Health Insurance High Risk Pool gave me insight on what drives health costs and how some Oklahomans suffer for lack of health insurance. Pre-existing health issues, in addition to age and end of life, are major drivers of health costs. If the Republican Party philosophy regarding pre-existing conditions spreads to other health care domains like the aged and those facing end of life health conditions, some

Oklahomans could have their health insurance canceled or face extremely high premiums.

Oklahoma rural communities continue to lose local health care facilities. More Oklahomans having universally accepted all-encompassing health insurance will help keep these facilities open. It will encourage citizens to use them. Closing local health facilities results in rural Oklahomans driving long distances to an often unfamiliar medical facility hoping to receive compassionate care from a stranger. Denying health insurance for those with preexisting conditions is just the beginning in the Republicans’ approach to controlling health care costs. You or your family could be their next target. If Republicans want to cut health care costs, they should find a way to improve health care efficiencies — not sacrifice people.

Richard C. Hall, Norman

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