First, apologies to the gentleman in the Aug. 5 Journal-World story, unable to find health care coverage due to a pre-existing condition, shoulder surgery 15 years ago. He now joins 46 million Americans, uninsured, in the so-called richest nation on earth.

I recently had surgery for the third time due to a genetic condition. I shudder to think where our family might be financially without health insurance. We could have faced bankruptcy without insurance. Sojourner Magazine reports nearly 60 percent of bankruptcies are due to medical bills. Or worse, we could have been one of the 18,000 preventable deaths from lack of comprehensive health care.

By the way, no one in Canada goes bankrupt from medical bills. Every Canadian has health insurance. But don’t expect meaningful reform from Congress while the goose continues to lay golden eggs to both political parties. The Washington Post, on July 21, reported the health care sector contributed nearly $170 million to the 535 members of Congress between 2007 and 2008. So far in the 2010 election cycle, over $17 million has been donated, compared to a total of $22 million spent in the entire 1990 election cycle. As long as we continue to be ruled by the Demicans and Republicrats, true reform will fail.

P.S. The Green Party accepts no money from corporations and /or lobbyists.