When broker Don Dyer saw a front-page article in the Ventura County Star depicting a health care “victim with no options,” he took action. He called the editor of the paper and complained. He reminded the editor that too often, articles leave out the entire story. Did the “victim” rule out all health care options? Did the article state the facts about the uninsured-that many are eligible for public programs but not signed up? Don was encouraged to write an editorial response to the article and it was printed:

“Uninsured Do Have Options” by Don Dyer

Re: [Ventura County Star] Oct. 10 article, “Breaking the Bank to Survive: One-Fifth of the State’s Population Lacks Insurance, Forcing Some Into Debt”

If I were an uninformed reader, the headline, photographs and article all painted a bleak picture of our current system:

1. Six million to seven million people without insurance
2. Ninety-nine percent of the patients at a free clinic do not have insurance
3. You featured Doug Horn on the front page, complete with photographs, as a representation of the issue at hand. He has to pay for all of his drugs and supplies, to treat a diabetic condition because he does not qualify for government assistance.

Regarding A:

Any time this topic is discussed, those in support of government-run or employer-sponsored programs always state that 6 million to 7 million in California do not have insurance. Go to the Foundation For Health Coverage Education Web site for information on all the programs available to residents of our great state: http://www.coverageforall.org.

When you actually break down the numbers of the estimated 6 million to 7 million uninsured:

1. Three million qualify for public programs but are not signed up. Here are numbers they can call:

• Medi-Cal: 1.800.952.5253, for those under 100 percent federal poverty level
• Restricted Medi-Cal: 1.800.952.5253, emergency coverage, no immigration requirements
• Medi-Cal for pregnant women and infants: 1.800.824.0088, low income, 200 percent to 300 percent of federal poverty level
• Kaiser Kids: 1.800.255.5053, families above 250 percent of poverty level
• Healthy Families: 1.800.880.5305, for children with family incomes between 100 percent to 250 percent of federal poverty level

2. Another 2.2 million make more than $50,000 per year, but have elected not to buy coverage.

• There are many affordable, low-cost individual plan options available in California. Call 1.888.497.2228 or go to http://www.platinumcis.com to see options available.

• Coming off of a group plan, extension of benefits such as COBRA/CalCOBRA coverage and uninsurable, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA). Call your current carrier for options available. All carriers offering Individual coverage to the insurable have to offer guaranteed plans of those coming off a qualified plan, meeting set government criteria for prior coverage.

• Employers with 2 to 50 employees, meeting criteria for a qualified business and set up by legislation are guaranteed issued. Call 1.888.497.2228 or go to http://www.platinumcis.com to see options available.

• Major Risk Medical Insurance Plan (MRMIP): 1.800.289.6574. For those with medical conditions who cannot qualify for individual plans due to a pre-existing condition and without prior coverage.

Some people do not want to buy coverage. If so, it is not fair to include them in the numbers.

3. Another 652,000 temporarily uninsured between jobs. Some elected to go without extension of benefits from previous employment.

• COBRA, businesses with 20 or more employees, or CalCOBRA, businesses with fewer than 20 employees: can continue benefits for 18 months following termination of employment (24 months or 36 months for certain qualifying circumstances). Employers and companies must notify all eligible.

4. This leaves fewer than 1 million truly uninsured (out of a population of 36 million in California). That is 3 percent of the population of 36 million.

I would question if the free clinic referenced in the article is a place to go for information on the topic. Mr. Horn should go to MRMIP listed above. I wonder if Mr. Horn was a referral from the free clinic.

Regarding B and C:

Unfortunately, going to a Canadian-type system or forcing employers to pay for it is not going to solve the issues. One solution possibility would be government-sponsored programs, funded by tax credits, offering coverage similar to the federal government program. There are programs such as this being considered as we speak. We do not need to change our current system.

Thank you for the opportunity to share the rest of the story.

Don Dyer is a registered health underwriter, a registered employee benefits consultant, and a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters. With 26 years of experience, he owns Platinum Choice Insurance Services in Westlake Village, specializing in health insurance for individuals/families and employers.