Not always about hard work

A reader wrote recently that his hard work had allowed him to pay for medical insurance ("Quality health care," Readers' Forum, Aug. 19). That is great.

What should be remembered is other people who work very hard themselves, may not be allowed the same opportunity. Working hard is not a guarantee of being able to afford health insurance.

I by no means am endorsing the so-called Obamacare. Yet, some form of change or reform is needed. My reasoning for this, orangutans at Hogle Zoo receive better health care than I can get for my family (Hogle Zoo's male orangutan undergoes second surgery for breast cancer," July 26).

My last visit to a health provider required full payment up front, or my son would not be seen. I literally had no way of paying for it — the recession is not over. I had to have his grandfather pay for the visit. My child was sick and required an antibiotic.

It isn't always a matter of working hard.

C.A. Nelson

Centerville