We should expand ACA benefits, not destroy them

A few days after the Republicans celebrated their passage of the tax cut that decimates the Affordable Care Act, we learned that a new study reveals the benefits of one aspect of the ACA (Dec. 23, “Medicaid Expansion Helped Detect Cancer Early”). The lead author of the study published in the American Journal of Public Health, Aparna Soni, explained that “one of the key objectives of the Affordable Care Act was to increase early cancer detection, particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations.”

Co-author Lindsay Sabik of the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health, added, “When cancer is diagnosed at earlier stages, patients tend to have better prognosis and lower associated treatment costs than if the cancer has spread.”

Tragically, the recently passed Republican tax plan will reverse these gains, and it increases the likelihood that many of our fellow Americans will suffer and even die needlessly. Only Scrooge or the Grinch could view this as a positive development. It is certainly no Christmas gift.

If we want to expand the benefits of the ACA, we should provide the gift to everyone of single-payer health care. On the federal level, H.R. 676 and S. 1084 and, in Pennsylvania, H.B. 1688 would demonstrate goodwill to all. BOB MASON President Health Care 4 All PA Trafford he has voted to further pollute. Planned Parenthood, which he has voted to defund, offers vital health care services to many women. And Fair Districts PA is working to end gerrymandering, which keeps Mr. Rothfus in office artificially by nullifying the votes of those who do not support him or his voting record.

My wish for 2018 is that at this time next year, I am able to wish Keith Rothfus a happy retirement. LINDA BISHOP Pine

After reading Elizabeth Behrman’s Dec. 26 article “Latin, Greek Curriculum Takes Root in Pittsburgh-Area Parochial, Charter Schools,” I was elated that students were being taught how to decipher unknown words,again.

As a retired public school teacher and as a Montessoritrained professional, I, too, taught these skills in Fort Worth, Texas, in the 1980s and in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The excitement was always amazing to watch as the “aha” moments appeared on the students’ faces in the classroom.

Yes, teaching Greek and Latin roots is essential in decoding the English language. Everything old is new again. PHYLLIS MANDELL

Morningside

We welcome your opinion

In response to Dave Hatfield’s Dec. 18 letter, “The LCB Has No Need to Advertise, So Why Do It?”: Kudos to Mr. Hatfield for pointing this out. I thought I was the only one in bewilderment.

I wonder if Mr. Hatfield also wonders, like myself, why the Pennsylvania Lottery sees a need to advertise. What another big waste of money to run those ridiculous groundhog commercials and post all those big, ugly billboards everywhere. I think all Pennsylvanians are aware by now that there are lottery drawings every day. JAMES LUTTNER

Friendship