Donald Simoneau of Lafayette is lucky (Sun Journal Nov. 14). His friends are planning a benefit for him to help pay his hospital bills. The jars I see on counters seem to be what passes for health care these days.

That is a disgrace.

According to the U.S. Census, a Mainer dies every three days for lack of health care. There are at least 150,000 uninsured Mainers — and more under-insured. Should sick people be left to die or go bankrupt?

If people are entitled to health care, this nation should adopt what every other industrialized country has: single-payer, universal coverage.

There are single-payer systems already. The VA’s Tri Care, Medicare and Medicaid cover almost half the population and are very cost effective. Thousands of Mainers need those affordable services.

Why do we deny to the rest what so many already have? Why fear communism when the VA is run and operated solely by the government? Would anyone deprive their grandparents of Medicare? Why is Medicaid denied to working families who can’t afford medical bills or premiums? The Affordable Care Act is only a tiny step in the right direction, but still leaves people out.

Mainers are used to helping each other. Maine is a small state, like Vermont, and, like Vermont, state officials can create a single-payer system that works.

But first, people must decide that basic health care is a right to be secured equally for everyone.

Karen Johnson, Bath