Health care until age 26 is a relief

Young adults now can stay covered by their parents' health insurance until age 26 ("Cost of care," editorial, July 29). This, one of many helpful provisions of the Affordable Care Act because of President Obama, allows young people to get the health care they need without worrying about the cost.

Previously, most insurance companies would drop children when they reached the age of 19, with some exceptions for full-time students. Young adults, mostly college students, would then have to worry about whether they could afford the care they might need.

Now, until children turn 26, they are covered by their parents' health insurance even if they are married, not living with their parents, attending school, or eligible for insurance through an employer.

There are many concerns for young adults: going to college, getting a job, and starting a new life on their own. Now, health coverage doesn't have to be one of those concerns.

Riley Minich

Fremont

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

Health questions await answers

Will hospitals and doctors reduce their prices when almost everyone has health insurance and hospitals and doctors no longer have to pick up costs for the uninsured?

Will this cause our medical insurance costs to drop? Will the government use the "tax" money from the uninsured only to cover health-care costs?

Bob Grau

Briarcrest Road

Public makes up government branch

The executive branch of our government was the genesis of the abomination titled the Affordable Care Act. The legislative branch followed the on-the-job trainee who leads the executive branch by voting the act into existence.

The judicial branch was denied the opportunity to remedy the nation's move toward becoming a European-style socialist state by the tortured legal justification of the chief justice.

It is time for the fourth branch to salvage what remains of the fabric of our country after more than three years of mismanagement. You and I are the fourth branch. As citizens, we hold the ultimate power.

November is coming. We must exercise our power to effect change, or it will be too late to salvage the freedom we treasure.

Judy Blochinger

Firethorne Drive

Faith paves way for health care

The writer of the July 4 Readers' Forum letter "Court added a form of taxation" is misinformed. He apparently thinks that anyone who doesn't want to buy health insurance shouldn't have to do so, because hospitals and charities will take care of the uninsured.

Some hospitals are struggling to stay afloat. Our tax dollars fund Medicaid, which subsidizes medical care for those who can't afford health insurance.

No one who has the resources to pay for health insurance should get free health care. I suspect that some well-off people who are opposed to mandatory health insurance would change their opinion if they found themselves unable to pay for coverage.

I would be willing to pay more in taxes to see that people without health insurance are taken care of. I am not wealthy; my husband and I are on a very limited income. But we feel this way because we are Christians, and this is what Jesus would want.

Judy Willcox

Perrysburg Township

Toledo Pride events draw praise

I attended the Toledo Pride events, and was delighted to see the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community come together as one to celebrate the diverse community we are ("Toledo Pride event draws thousands to downtown parade," Aug. 12).

The parade and festival were well run. It was great to see so many people of all age groups supporting the gay community. Many were our straight allies with children in tow.

A big salute goes to Mayor Mike Bell for serving as grand marshal and showing his support. I commend The Blade for its great coverage.

The Toledo gay community has come a long way and is moving in the right direction.

Rick Cornett

Lewis Avenue

Bars bountiful; pregnant women beware

Blade editorial cartoonist Kirk Walters' Aug. 9 drawing about a bartender and economic recovery provides an interesting twist on your Aug. 8 article "Report ranks Toledo 5th for bountiful bars; U.S. survey finds 7.2 taverns per 10,000 household in area."

Economic recovery, and places for socializing and connecting, are positive ways of looking at the data. As a fetal alcohol spectrum disorders specialist, I add another view.

There also needs to be awareness that for a pregnant woman, there is no safe amount or time for drinking alcohol. I encourage the alcoholic beverage industry to support women in making healthy drinking choices by avoiding alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Daily at Double ARC, a nonprofit organization, we work with children whose mothers did not realize the implications of their drinking during pregnancy. These can include permanent brain damage and lifelong behavioral, educational, and psychological problems.

Alcohol is more damaging to the brain than any other drug, including cocaine. If you are pregnant, don't drink alcohol.

Suzette Fisher

Secor Road