Letters to the editor
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New revenue for Allegheny County from billboards, especially flashing ones, is a bad and sad idea ("County Seeks Revenue From Electronic Billboard Ads," Nov. 3). I have lived in Pittsburgh most of my life and therefore have grown used to seeing billboards along many of our roads. As a result, instead of enjoying a beautiful view of trees and the river on Allegheny River Boulevard, for instance, I'm reading a billboard that is cutting off that view.
Generally speaking, billboard advertisements are unattractive with little thought given to graphic design. Perhaps if a billboard design had to be approved by a "billboard task force" (a panel of people dedicated to trying to preserve the beauty of our city), they wouldn't be as offensive.
My husband and I drive to Vermont regularly, where there are no billboards. The difference is incredible. We remark on it every time. The minute we leave Vermont and drive into New York , the billboards begin and everything is less attractive.
I would challenge our lawmakers to try to find a creative way to raise money that doesn't degrade our city and the citizens who are interested in preserving its beauty.
SUZY GILBERT
Oakland
Meaningful salute
R.H. Kramer ("Action Diminished," Nov. 9 letters) takes issue with the president attending the return of some of our fallen heroes, saying it lacked class and calling it a photo-op. I disagree. The president, who is not a military veteran, came and saluted these soldier warriors in the middle of the night -- a most inconvenient time for a busy president to take a trip from Washington to Dover, Del. His action was echoed by three-star and four-star generals, among other high-ranking officers, all of whom I presume also would rather have been home at that time.
I remind R.H. Kramer that George W. Bush, who started the war in Iraq, not only never attended the return of the Americans he sent into harm's way, but, in fact, he forbade the press to even be present at these sad homecomings.
In the military, the lesser-ranking person salutes the higher-ranking person, who returns it, if possible. The presence and salute of President Obama and of his generals said this to me, as a Vietnam vet: "Welcome home, fallen warriors. By your sacrifice, you outrank me, your president. Thank you for your service to our country. I am honored to be here and be photographed saluting you for your sacrifice."
JOE ADAMS
Friendship
Sensible reforms
I agree 100 percent that something needs to be done regarding our health-care system. But a 2,000-page piece of legislation scares us nonlawyers because of the multiple cross-references to other legislation that we cannot decipher and, frankly, because we have a lack of trust in our Congress.
Why not:
1. Eliminate the fraud in Medicare and Medicaid -- we don't need a 2,000-page bill to do that.
2. Provide vouchers for the poor -- except the really poor should be on Medicaid. Why are they not?
3. Regulate health insurance at the national, not state, level and make it portable.
4. Reform tort laws by limiting damages.
5. Require medical providers to accept as payment in full from the uninsured the amount they would receive from the insurance company. I was in the hospital recently, and my hospital accepted $3,500 from my insurance company whereas the detailed bill amounted to $11,500. To do so, according to the hospital, would violate the contract it has with the insurance company. Perhaps the uninsured would pay their bills if they were the same as what the insurance company pays the hospital.
Our legislators should attack this issue one step at a time.
ROBERT J. NISS
Bell Acres
It's obvious to me
I am truly puzzled as to why senior citizens cannot understand the reason why the health insurance companies have increased their premiums and co-pays by 86 percent.
How in the world does one expect the health industry to raise the money necessary to fund, by hundreds of millions of dollars, the lobby interests in Washington, D.C.?
I, too, am a senior citizen with supplemental coverage and I resent and cannot condone these practices, but I sure know why this is happening.
NORMA V. FURNESS
Baden
Jobs created
In response to the Nov. 3 letter by Jason Johnson ("Public Option Will Shred Insurance Jobs"): Did he give any thought to the jobs that would be created by the public option? A sizable number of jobs would be created to administer the plan.
It is unlikely that a lot of jobs would be lost to those employed by insurance companies. These companies would still require a sufficient staff to administer their plans. The likelihood is that these companies would be forced to reduce premium levels in order to compete with the public option. The loss in income would serve only to reduce the already exorbitant profits enjoyed by these companies. They will not go out of business. They will simply realize a decrease in profitability.
It is about time that Republicans stop worrying about the profitability of large corporations and start concerning themselves with the welfare of their fellow citizens.
RALPH GRABOWSKI
Scott
Long-term good
The editorial "UPMC's Call: The Under-Use Claim at Braddock Rings Hollow" (Nov. 6) accuses UPMC of failing to answer to its higher calling by deciding to shut down its Braddock facility. While nonprofits' tax advantages give them a competitive edge, they do not shelter them from the market entirely.
UPMC must remain competitive. That means making long-term decisions for the good of the organization. While these choices may hurt the surrounding communities in the short term, the continuing viability of UPMC is in everyone's best interests. If UPMC believes that its dollar can be best spent elsewhere, that's where it should be spent. The editorial implies that the dollar should be permanently chained to a poor business decision.
It is absurd to think that some higher calling is achieved by forcing UPMC to drive itself into the ground.
KURT HOFFMAN
McCandless
The writer is a student in the health law program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Help for caregivers
We were pleased to see that UPMC Health Plan is offering caregiving classes for its members ("Caregivers Need a Good Dose of Support, Advice, Too," Nov. 4). The need is great with an estimated 31,000 older adults in our county serving as caregivers.
That is why The Jewish Healthcare Foundation is launching its Caregiver Champions initiative to reduce the stress of caregiving among older adults. With funding from the national Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, we are recruiting caregivers who are 55-plus to attend monthly salons -- informal discussion groups with local experts providing practical tools and resources to balance their lives.
The salons will be held in neighborhoods convenient to the families. Here they will learn to navigate the service system, advocate for unmet service needs and reduce burnout. To alleviate stress, we are funding respite care for loved ones so that caregivers may attend.
To register, call 412-594-2569.
PAM VINGLE
Program Manager
Caregiver Champions
Jewish Healthcare Foundation
Downtown
Students already pay their share; the city should recognize that
I am a junior chemical engineering student at Pitt and one of the students who Mayor Luke Ravenstahl claims does not pay thier fair share. Once again, he is sadly mistaken. I hold two paid positions for which I pay income taxes. I pay the fee that supports the University of Pittsburgh Police Department, which benefits all Oakland residents, not just students.
Paying for the privilege to attend school in Pittsburgh? The mayor needs to wake up and realize that most Carnegie Mellon, Pitt and Duquesne students could easily have chosen other institutions -- it is we who choose to grace this city with our presence and generous spending habits.
The mayor may think that I do not appreciate this city -- nothing could be further from the truth. I have no regrets for choosing Pitt and am thrilled to be here. But I am also planning on attending law school; if this tax is indeed passed, I will not be staying in this city. The city's policies have already led me to decide against working here after graduation.
These shortsighted policies will serve only to drive well-qualified students and graduates away from this wonderful city. Is that what the mayor really wants? Is that really what the city needs?
MONICA STALZER
Oakland
First Published November 13, 2009 12:00 am
