Readers Write (Jan. 9): Hearing loss, Minneapolis politics, Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Sex Offenders Program, pedestrian safety, cold weather and cars

The commentary by James E. Lukaszewski ("1 in 5 suffer in silence. Literally.") was spot-on in detailing the effects of hearing loss, and the benefits of hearing aids. As a 16-year veteran wearing hearing aids, I can attest to the overwhelming difference they have made in my life. One would ask why anyone with a hearing loss would not seek to improve their hearing.

Simple reason: cost!

Problem No. 1: Most medical plans and insurance coverages do not cover hearing aids.

Problem No. 2: Even the lower-technology effective hearing aids cost upward of $1,000 per ear. That is unless one tries the gimmicky, and mostly ineffective, aids advertised as affordable.

Hearing aids are a robust example of our for-profit health care system. I paid (out of pocket) more than $2,200 per ear in 2012 for midrange technology aids. If you look at the devices (plastic, circuitry and fitting), there is no reasonable reason for the hearing aids to garner that price.

One would think that employers would find it desirable not only to protect their employees from hearing loss, but to encourage hearing-aid use, through insurance coverage or other programs.

The hearing-aid industry is a scam right up there with pharmaceuticals.

I understand that Minneapolis is a liberal city, and a darn fine one, but as one writer noted, our one-party system — not unlike the old Soviet model — has become "self-satisfied" and "takes us all for granted." That's what happens without a competition of ideas. However, I don't mean more ideas that are left and lefter.

There's gotta be some Republicans hiding in Minneapolis somewhere. I think it's safe to come out now!

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The Jan. 2 article on the progressive tone of the Minneapolis City Council races thus far seemed to imply that a progressive shift in local politics is, at best, unnecessary given our current left-leaning council and, at worst, something to be concerned about. I disagree.

As a lifelong Minneapolis resident, I've been thrilled to see such a diverse, progressive slate of candidates develop for City Council. Although the article notes that we have not had a Republican council member since 1998, our City Council has nevertheless failed to reflect the progressive values that many Minneapolis citizens hold dear. As movements like Fight for 15 and Black Lives Matter Minneapolis demonstrate, the people of Minneapolis want to see living wages, affordable housing, and just policing that protects (and does not endanger) everyone in our city. As the article points out, we are also concerned about what a Donald Trump presidency may mean for Minneapolis' immigrant communities, and want to ensure that our City Council maintains and even strengthens our sanctuary city protections. I attended the Dec. 13 Our Revolution caucus training and was pleased to see so many enthusiastic attendees from all walks of life, as well as a number of candidates, all of whom are engaged and ready to work to ensure that the Minneapolis City Council reflects the progressive, inclusive values of this city.

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is the only VA that has been five-star continually since SAIL was first used in 2012. The article referred to the "newly posted data" comparing hospitals' 2016 performance to the prior year. While it cites negative changes in the ranking of other institutions, the story neglected the fact that the Minneapolis VA — already five-star — continued to improve its scores last year.

VA health care is not perfect, but the quality and accomplishments in Minneapolis should receive additional attention in the media. On the day this article appeared, we opened a $10 million hybrid operating-room suite — a resource equaled in only a few other Minnesota hospitals. We are consistently a positive outlier when our care outcomes are compared with those of other hospitals.

Although it's rewarding to be ranked among the top-performing medical centers in the nation, we are continually working to improve our care. That is our mission — to provide the best care available anywhere to our veterans.

The writer is chief of staff for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

We are devastated — hope has disappeared! ("State's offender program gets OK," Jan. 5). Our grandson "offended" as a 14-year-old with Asperger's syndrome. He has been in "treatment" ever since. Now, at 31, with his juvenile record expunged, he is in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, without hope of any kind. He had hope as a member of the class-action lawsuit, but with the decision of an appellate court last week, that is gone. How is this fair, kind or humane?