Letters to the editor for Monday, May 5

The April 30 Star Tribune reported that both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton want to reform health care by building on the employer system and that John McCain wants to shift to an individual approach. They all have it wrong.

We need a collective approach whereby all Americans are in one large group. We cover each other's health challenges and work together to assure quality care at affordable prices. It's time to provide Medicare for all Americans, not just the elderly. Individuals and/or employers could buy supplemental policies if they wanted, just as many senior citizens currently do.

The cost of administering Medicare is tiny compared with the cost of administering private health insurance. All Americans would have access to health care, and people wouldn't be tied to their current jobs for fear of losing access to health care. A healthier America and a more mobile work force would improve productivity across the economy and make our companies more competitive internationally as we move away from an employer-based system.

CLARK JOHNSON, NORTH MANKATO, MINN.

Last week House Republicans released an ad blaming the 2008 transportation funding bill for rising prices. That's ridiculous.

Since April 1, the average price for a gallon of gas in Minnesota has increased by 32 cents. Only 2 cents are coming from the gas tax increase in our transportation bill. The other 30 cents are going toward record profits for big oil companies or to foreign countries, some of which actively support terrorism.

Meanwhile, the 2-cent increase in the gas tax is staying in Minnesota to build safer roads and bridges and create jobs. That seems like a better way to be spending our money.

DFL-CROOKSTON, MINN.;

CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION FINANCE COMMITTEE

As a member of Minnesota's medical community, I urge the public to restrict access to and safely secure all prescription medications. These medications can be dangerous, addictive and even fatal.

Consider your own home. Where are your medications located? How easy would it be for curious hands to sample a few? People should take a quick trip to a local hardware store and purchase a lock for their medicine cabinets. Parents should talk with their children about the hazards associated with prescription medications.

Having been a firsthand witness to the misuse of prescription drugs by Minnesota's youth and the perilous repercussions that follow, I implore all to take the simple steps that could ultimately save a young life.

How ironic. The same day Twila Brase reports that Minnesota legislators gutted the 2006 Genetic Privacy Law for the state Newborn Screening Program ("Genetic information deserves protection," April 29), the Star Tribune prints a story on government mishandling and failing to protect sensitive data.

Newborn babies in Minnesota are not guinea pigs, and government has no business collecting citizens' cradle-to-grave blood, tissue samples, DNA or medical records. Many oppose genetic research as a violation of ethical, moral, cultural or religious values and beliefs.

Patient consent is our only protection against access and control of our private data. Empowering our newborn babies, and all patients, with true written consent protects individual liberty as well as our privacy and DNA property rights. Good intentions aside, medical ethics and written informed patient consent must supersede all state access of our private medical data.

SUE JEFFERS, NEW BRIGHTON

In response to Steven Dornfeld's April 29 letter stating that "It's clear" that the best plan for the Central Corridor has emerged, I have to ask, the best plan for whom?

Stadium Village welcomes the Central Corridor, as does the University of Minnesota. We just want to see it done right. We embraced the route with the tunnel.

If I were building a home and the costs exceeded the anticipated budget, I would think the prudent thing to do would be to look at several small alterations and adjustments rather than say "the roof costs a lot, let's cut that." There is no need to hurry up and make a bad decision. Wait for the results of the Northern Alignment study and be a little more creative in looking at cost-saving measures and restore the tunnel.