I need a choice. Retiring at 62, I took on a part-time job for the health care. My previous Blue Cross/Blue Shield health care policy overlapped my new Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy. There is a one year "pre-existing" exclusion in my new plan.

At 62, what is not a pre-existing condition?

HIPAA was to assure health care insurance would continue with job changes. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. BC/BS told me a small business can "sign a card" and not follow HIPAA.

With President Obama's health care proposal, I would not have a "pre-existing" clause, and I could choose an affordable public health care plan.

Obama's plan does not require anyone to give up private insurance. It only offers the choice of a government run plan as an option.

Because a government run plan would not give large bonuses to CEOs, nor pay large sums of money to lobbyists and congressmen and women to prevent health care change, it would operate at a much lower cost.

This option would add competition, lowering private insurance rates.

I am on government run Social Security. In a few years, I will be eligible for government run Medicare.

Neither of these public plans takes away my right to private programs. They are options, like President Obama's proposal for a government health care option. So, would someone help me understand why there is such a voice out there against the choice of a government option?

James H. Turner Jr.

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