I applaud Sheila Suess Kennedy's Dec. 22 column regarding the need for change by all of us who have come to expect our needs to be provided for as if it is our due.

I appreciated the fact that my health insurance rates were paid in part through my employment with the City of Indianapolis until I became disabled 14 years ago. I spent 21/2 years with no insurance coverage because Medicare required a disabled person to wait for that length of time before receiving coverage. I now have excellent supplemental health-care coverage, which I pay for from my barely above federal poverty level income. I have made changes and concessions throughout my adult life to live within my means and I pay for what I need or do without. This has become more and more difficult due to the failing economy and rising prices on all necessities.

The people who are struggling to survive have changed their spending habits, but those who live in the lap of luxury are still benefiting from my monthly health-care payments. Kennedy's final paragraph says it all: "The bottom line? We won't improve bottom lines unless we fix American health care." This is a change that needs to begin at the top.

JoAnn Green

Indianapolis