On Sept. 9, President Barack Obama proposed steps to provide health care coverage to the millions of Americans without it, that may both improve quality and control costs. Some still argue that “We are going too fast,” or moving to “government control” or “We should let insurance and pharmaceutical companies reform themselves.” We have waited over 30 years for meaningful reform. We cannot wait any longer.

In just the past six months, a half-million Americans have lost their health care. I argue the plan should do more. When Ted Kennedy said: “It is a matter of social justice and the character of our nation,” I believe he meant a wider, truly reformed system that denies corporations the right to profit from people’s illnesses.

The public option in the current reform plan has become very modest, providing coverage for only the most needy. It is a far cry from wider public plans, both just and cost effective, administered, yes, by governments, and enjoyed by citizens in many developed countries.

The fear that the diluted public option will compete unfairly with private insurers certainly seems unwarranted. What I fear is that insurance companies, not the people, are really the winners. They will gain millions of new enrollees, and their premium payment dollars.

Yes, they will now be bound by law to enroll individuals with pre-existing conditions, and not terminate or curtail coverage for the ill and dying. But, I wonder who will be watching this henhouse? The foxes again?

Susann Pelletier, Lewiston