Tragedy a tipping point?

A column by The Washington Post's Megan McArdle in the Dec. 15 Post and Courier took issue with "the performative sociopaths who unleashed a tide of glee on social media" after UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson's death.

The reasoning was predicated on a report by the nonprofit KFF indicating that the majority of "insured Americans are quite satisfied with their own coverage." She also said the health care system was frustrating, noted the reasons for that frustration and that people were right to be frustrated.

The 27 million uninsured citizens, the underinsured who can't afford care, the 37% of the insured population who are financially unable to afford the medications they need and the citizens who live in North Charleston census tract 44 with a life expectancy of 66.6 years would surely agree that our problems are frustrating.

And what about the people who are filing for bankruptcy? Sixty percent of personal bankruptcies are due to medical debt.

Americans have a life expectancy almost 5 years less than the average wealthy nation and 7 years less than Japan. We spend twice as much as the other wealthy nations with inferior results. Let's get real. We have a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

Here are the major flaws in the insurance system:

* Insurers increase revenue by convincing their clients, Medicare, Medicaid, individuals on the exchanges and businesses, to pay them as much as possible.

* To reduce expenses, they are increasingly aggressive with claims denial (the issue motivating the alleged shooter of the United Healthcare CEO).

* Physicians, especially primary care physicians, manage medical risks, not insurance companies. The insurance companies are only adding additional cost.

Health systems, along with physicians, should be taking the financial risk and tasked with quality and cost decisions.

Unfortunately, neither insurance companies nor health systems have any financial incentive to change. It is going to take public pressure to force change.

JAMES H. SUDDETH JR.

Former chairman of the board

Prisma Richland Memorial, Columbia

Edisto Island

Teach truth in schools

A recent commentary by S.C. Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick showed that he is in agreement with S.C. Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver about PragerU, "a traditional conservative organization that provides free civics resources to teachers."

I, however, disagree with that view.

Neither Mr. McKissick nor Ms. Weaver has any teaching experience in a public school.

Neither, as I can determine, possesses credentials to teach history.

When Mr. McKissick stated, "We can ensure that our schools reflect the traditional values and aspirations of the people of South Carolina," I wonder what defines a South Carolinian.

We are not all of the same race, religion or history.

Some of us are descendants of slaves or immigrants.

Some of us have a long legacy here in this state, while others are newcomers.

I find it hard to see any easy way to define us.

So when PragerU steps in with what I believe to be a form of indoctrination, what happens to the separation of church and state?

Public schools I have worked in do not indoctrinate. These schools tell the truth as derived from historical research and professionalism. Does PragerU use any other historical evidence besides the Bible?

Please stop using indoctrination. Truth is a better, more accurate word when discussing historical events. That standard best reflects the "traditional values and aspirations" of my fellow South Carolinians.

DIANE MCGEE

Charleston

SC DUI laws

While I agree with the Dec. 12 editorial, "Serious sentence for drunken killing should send an overdue message," that our DUI laws should be tougher and more consistently enforced, I think it's also important to underscore that the opportunity to affect behavior comes before someone makes plans to use a vehicle.

If few people are prosecuted and convicted, the length or type of sentence has little effect on the decision to drive after drinking, except with repeat offenders.

Incarceration carries a huge cost to society, and I recommend it be used carefully and based on data.

It is reasonable to consider the risk to society the convicted person poses if not incarcerated and to use as many alternatives to incarceration as can be imagined.

It is also important to consider the potential for treatment and rehabilitation to have a positive effect.

However, the emotional satisfaction to victims and their families must not be the determining factor, nor should the amount of publicity the case has generated.

CHARLES GOLDMAN

Charleston

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