Where do you stand?
National anthem
Regarding “Vague patriotism,” (C1, Feb. 12): Jerome Solomon totally misses the point of the anthem being played. Just because some people don’t respect our anthem, including players and owners, is no reason not to play it. That’s like not flying the American flag because some people don’t believe in what it stands for. We are able to play a game because of what the anthem represents! So tell me, do you stand and put your hand over your heart when the anthem is played?
Brian Binash, Houston
I guess my idea of respect is passe. Respect, displayed by standing, for the national anthem, is now viewed as a detestable fringe group action.
I am truly amazed how far my ethics have been shifted. Once considered a middle-of-the-road person, I find myself categorized as an extremist!
The strangest part is that I haven’t moved at all.
Rusty Knight, Missouri City
Health care
Regarding “How Texas can cure medical cost issues,” (A11, Feb. 12): Dr. David Callender paints a comprehensive picture of the factors contributing to heath care costs in hospitals. Everyone agrees about who should pay for hospital care: someone else. Most interesting was the fact that compliance with government regulation adds $1,200 to the cost to hospitals for each admission. We should not be surprised that the government charges for everything it provides. Richard E. Ralston, executive director, Americans for Free Choice in Medicine
Regarding “Medicaid expansion would give Texas a jolt,” (B1, Feb. 7): I have been reading about the issue of Gov. Greg Abbott not allowing the expansion to Medicaid, and I don’t get that. Preventive care paid for by any source will save money in the long run. When an uninsured person becomes very ill, they have to resort to going to the emergency room. That costs every taxpayer more. If the illness is debilitating because the person could not afford maintenance medication and treatments, they can possibly no longer work. They may have to go on disability and other forms of government assistance. That also costs more for the taxpayer. Health care should be afforded every American. It’s being penny-wise but dollar foolish to not provide basic preventive health care
to every American who needs it. It’s just wrong. It’s un-Christian and plain wrong, especially in the great United States. People should not have to resort to the emergency room or have to create GoFundMe accounts to just live.
Connie Huch, Houston
Lauded, not penalized
Regarding “Judge tosses doctor’s vaccine theft case,” ( Jan. 25): District Attorney Kim Ogg correctly faced criticism from a judge for pursuing the case against Dr. Hasan Gokal. In the county’s refusal to furnish the public with the vaccination protocols Gokal allegedly violated, they’re making him out to be a thief without clarifying that, even if such a protocol exists, it encouraged wasting an already-scarce resource instead of vaccinating people who would’ve otherwise
been eligible — bureaucracy over people. Like all doctors, Gokal took an oath, and asking him to adhere to such a protocol — that in subsequent retellings of this story reveal he kept his superiors apprised of his activity until the issue of “equity” was raised. According to the New York Times story, he asked if the names were too Indian, to which they responded in the affirmative as a way to penalize him for doing his job. It is a gross injustice, and he deserves the support of the community, not penalized for his heroism.