Editor:
The four contenders for governor, detailed in the CalMatters article (“They Want to Be California’s Next Governor. Here’s What They’d Do About Health Care, Nov. 20), range in age from 57 to 72. Katie Porter, who didn’t answer CalMatters’ questions, is 51. Other non-respondents were Chad Bianco who is soon to be 59, and Steve Hilton, a mere babe at 56 (and an American citizen for fewer than five of those years). Newsom became governor when he was in his mid-40. He is not yet 60. Maybe we need somebody younger than 60 for governor.
Also, I would argue that Newsom did not abandon a single-payer health care system due to its “expense and complexity.” What could be more expensive and complex than our current system?
If we are significantly wealthy, we pay out of pocket and generally get a discount for doing so.
If we are employed, our employers often buy us health insurance and due to that expense, our wages are lower.
If we are self-employed, we pay for our own insurance, which is expensive and, if we can’t afford it, is subsidized by taxpayers, or at least as the ACA is now. Or we wing it and go without.
If we are poor, perhaps we get free Medicaid. Or not.
Everybody should have a program like Medicare. Nobody should have to start a Go-Fund-Me if they are in an accident or get cancer. Employers should not have to deal with all the confusion of health insurance plans, nor should physicians. Self-employed people should not have to weigh health insurance premiums against other expenses, especially if they have fluctuating income.
Is this the best these old guys and one old gal can come up with? I’m not impressed.
Carol Moné, Trinidad
This article appears in Flash Fiction 2025.