Letters to the Editor: November 2009

Frugal funerals

Your otherwise excellent article about controlling funeral costs [“The High Cost of Dying,” October] didn’t mention the least expensive option. My mother was both an avid environmentalist and a lifelong teacher, so when she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, she decided to donate her body to science as a final gift to education.

While some medical schools have small charges (such as paying transportation) for their Willed Body Programs, the one closest to us did not, and returned her ashes to me about a year later. I have signed up as well, so someday my husband will have funeral costs for me of $0.00. —Helen Hicks Baker, Lewisburg, W.Va.

Medicare matters

In “Safeguarding Medicare” it is stated that the Medicare “savings” of approximately $500 billion envisioned in the health care overhaul bills “are not reductions in benefits.” Does AARP believe that when Medicare cuts 14 percent from its payments to Medicare Advantage plans, the 25 percent of Medicare recipients who are enrolled in these plans will not lose benefits?—Carl Holland, Staten Island, N.Y.

In “Safeguarding Medicare,” there’s a glaring red flag. It is this glib phrase: “paying doctors more for practices that improve quality of care and save money.” Who decides what “improved quality of care” is? How does that not come between you and your doctor?—Carol Martin, Flushing, N.Y.

Health care overhaul

In “Health Reform: Make It Real and Right” [In the Know, Opinion], Michael O. Leavitt states that when the government negotiates drug prices, “it does so by saying to drug companies, ‘Either give me a lower price, or we will not let Medicare members buy your drug.’ ” How does this differ from insurance companies currently telling drug companies to give them a rebate or they will not put their drugs on the insurance company drug formulary?—Don Wegner, St. Cloud, Minn.

Nixon’s legacy

Many thanks for stepping forward with the facts of President Nixon’s national health insurance plan of 38 years ago [Editor’s Letter, “Don’t Miss This Opportunity, Too”]. That plan was one of many things he did better than a majority of American presidents.

Two of Nixon’s brothers died young of tuberculosis. He often spoke of the trying times of their illnesses, including the big medical bills incurred. He seemed to carry the hurt throughout his life. He was, both at heart and in deed, a man of the people. Perhaps your article has gratifyingly enlightened those who didn’t know of the plan, and rightly embarrassed the many who conveniently forgot.—C.K. Frank, Philadelphia

Repairing roads

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood exemplifies naiveté. To say the interstate highways are “done” [“Living in a Post-Car World”] ignores the deplorably rundown condition of most of the system, as in the August 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. While I applaud the emphasis on rail systems (which was horribly lacking in the Bush administration), most U.S. and interstate highways have exceeded their expected design life. Huge sums will need to be spent on highways and the post-car vision.—Dan Hopmann, St. Charles, Mo.

We appreciate hearing from you. Write to: Bulletin Editor, Dept. RF, 601 E St. N.W., Washington, DC 20049; or e-mail to: Bulletin@aarp.org. Please include your address and phone number.