Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 14, 1994                   TAG: 9409160005
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LETTERS

As Congress debates health care reform, the League of Women Voters asks all citizens to contact their representatives and senators to urge them to pass health care reform that will provide coverage to all Americans. Special interests are spending millions of dollars to defeat comprehensive health care reform. It is essential that citizens make their voices heard.

Health care reform will affect each individual in this country. The access we have to health care, the quality of that care and its cost will have a direct impact on each and every one of us. The facts are that over the course of a year, one in five Americans will be without health care insurance for some period of time. The majority of uninsured Americans are either children (22%), adults between the ages of 25-64 (59%), and young adults between 18 and 24 years of age (19%).

There is a crisis in the health care system. There is need for reform. The League of Women Voters believes that health care reform must include an employer mandate so that all employees receive health care coverage. Any health care package must also provide for universal coverage - all Americans must be guaranteed coverage for preventive, primary, and acute care. Members of coverage for preventive, primary, and acute care. Members of Congress must vote for comprehensive health care reform now.

We have a choice; call, write or visit your members of Congress and tell them you want real comprehensive health care reform that includes universal coverage.

Mary Swiger, president, League of Women Voters of Montgomery County

Blacksburg

Fast will get rid of NEA

Remember the artist who submerged the crucifix with Jesus Christ in urine? That art work was funded by our tax money through the National Endowment for the Arts. On June 22, 1994 an appropriations bill was voted on to eliminate this blatant misuse of hard-earned tax dollars. Congressman Boucher voted with the liberals to fund this trash to the tune of $171.1 million. He is not representing the 9th District when he votes to waste our money in such insulting ways. We work hard for our money and want it to be used in ways that are productive. In November we will have an opportunity to send a message to Washington. Let's send Steve Fast, a conservative voice for the 9th, to defend our hard-earned tax dollars. Mr. Fast will vote to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.

Danielle Reid

Pulaski