THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 15, 1994 TAG: 9408130002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
I have read the recent commentaries of columnist Thomas Sowell on the health-care-reform program with a great deal of astonishment. I am astonished by his strong objections to Clinton's plan since, as a German as well as a European, I have always enjoyed the protection and feeling of security in a health-care system that Sowell denounces as ``government-controlled.''
I do not wish to comment on the discussion about the American health-care program, as it does not concern me personally. However, since Sowell's Aug. 8 commentary containing false statements about the German health-care system could give the American public the wrong impression, I would like to make the following points:
No one in Europe considers the existing health-care system to be ``a history of disaster.'' Except for some necessary reforms, all citizens are in agreement with the system.
The AIDS-contaminated blood donations were sold in Germany due to private companies wanting to make larger profits and not being controlled enough by the government - not because the government wanted to save money.
Your commentator is poorly informed about the health-care system in Germany and is trying to discredit Clinton's health-care plans with his false statements.
BERND PETERSEN
Virginia Beach, Aug. 9, 1994 by CNB