The majority of Americans want some health system reform. Most like the care they receive but not the cost. Some have little or no health coverage. But we are fearful of what the changes might be. We’ve heard a lot of scare tactics and commercials from special interest groups.

If you are looking for some good facts, read two articles in the Aug. 30 Star. Julia Vaughn, a health policy consultant for the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, in “Health-care dilemma” points out that the U.S. spends twice as much on health care as other countries, but our system ranks 37th. Thirty-one percent of our health-care dollar is not spent on health care, but is allocated to administrative costs.

An Associated Press article on Canadian health care in the same issue stated that Canadians live three years longer on average than Americans. In 2006, Canada’s per-capita spending for health care was $3,678; the U.S. cost was $6,714. Eighty-two percent of Canadians believe their system outdoes America’s, and 70 percent felt their system was working very well or well.

Most want health care available for all at an affordable price. We cannot simply keep what we have and just add more programs. We are going to pay more or have some strings attached. How badly do we want to see changes — without moving to Canada?

Dick Huber, M.D.

Greenwood