I am a retired Episcopal priest who was blessed to serve my entire active ordained ministry in Lowell, Mass., from 1968 to 2004. During those years I served on the local health planning council, becoming educated and advocating for my own parishioners as well as for citizens needing advocates concerning their own health care.

During this past year, I have become increasingly alarmed at attempts to deflect from the central issue of the need for health reform in our nation, especially as it relates to those citizens who presently cannot afford health insurance.

Especially during this present recess of the U.S. Congress, misinformation has been rampant as to what is being proposed, resulting in understandable fears. Rumors catch on like a wildfire in this instant information society.

I hope that members of Congress will not be intimidated by the fear mongers who attacked them at town meeting forums and other available venues. I believe the future health of the citizenry and the moral fiber of the nation depends on such reform.

Selfish interests on both the personal and corporate level do not contribute to the common good of our democracy; such interests need to be both revealed and denounced.

The Rev. K. Gordon White, Sabattus