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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I have frequently been tempted to respond to Bill Settlemyer’s editorials in the Charleston Regional Business Journal.
It seems to me that he represents what has come to be called “the liberal media” in that he frequently deplores a situation and just as quickly comments that the solution is “somebody ought to do something.” That is not a solution or even a helpful comment.
His treatment in the most recent issue of the Business Journal of our “failing health care system” was the final straw.
He says that “consumer driven health care … is delusional at best, dangerous at worst.” He does not say why.
He says that what’s really needed is responsible leadership from the medical, insurance and business communities, along with the nation’s political leadership at all levels.
The last phrase is the only indication that I can find that he has given any serious thought to this issue.
I believe he is correct about political leadership. But I suggest he recognize that there is only one of the listed participants that have a complete undivided interest in improving the system—and that is the individual.
Until he and other media representatives quit deploring and start promoting the transfer of authority toward the individual, the system will not begin to improve in any measurable way.
The medical, insurance and business communities cannot be expected to have a complete interest in the system; they each have an understandable self-interest.
The individual, working through their political representation, can be trusted to respond to this challenge. I wish you could.
Herbert Ailes
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