Letters chastise UnitedHealthcare, advocate for Medicare Advantage and lobby for low-wage workers

Prosecute killing for profits

I don’t approve of people taking the law into their own hands, especially homicide. However, I have to wonder why UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had not been prosecuted for intentional murder or reckless homicide.

UnitedHealthcare is being sued in a class action alleging that their algorithm for denying Medicare claims has a proven 90% error rate and that people have died, in shocking circumstances, as a direct result of covered services being withdrawn or withheld, and reviews and appeals being denied. This is deliberate conduct with full knowledge of the probable consequences.

They will not release their algorithm info for scrutiny, claiming it is proprietary. They have increased their profits by $16 billion, year over year, since June of last year, and Thompson got a compensation package of over $10 million as his reward for doing that. Their claims administration commits intentional killing with a clear profit motive in violation of existing law, much like arson of an occupied building for profit.

Administering Medicare is a public trust, not merely a private contract. This should be presented to a grand jury.

J. Michael Forsyth, Lacey

Medicare Advantage worth funding

With rising inflation making it harder for seniors to afford basic needs, ensuring health care affordability should be a priority for our lawmakers. Unfortunately, recent policy changes are putting Medicare Advantage, an important, cost-saving program, at risk. Medicare Advantage currently supports over 33 million seniors and people with disabilities nationwide, many of whom live on incomes of less than $25,000 per year.

These changes are threatening seniors with higher premiums, fewer benefits, and reduced plan options. And they’re likely to hit some of the most vulnerable, especially those with lower incomes and individuals from minority communities.

Cost-effective health care is critical, and this program helps them save an average of over $2,500 annually compared to traditional Medicare. These cuts threaten to erode those savings at a time when the savings are needed most.

Unlike traditional Medicare, many Medicare Advantage programs also cover vital home healthcare services. This enables seniors in our state to receive essential care in the comfort of their own homes, improving their quality of life and reducing the burden on caregivers.

Members of our congressional delegation, including Rep. Marilyn Strickland, can help protect Medicare Advantage and seniors like me who rely on this essential program. We need her to be a champion for Washington seniors, oppose any harmful legislation, and protect health care affordability.

Deborah Hall, Olympia

A better Olympia for all

I support the Workers Bill of Rights because I care about Olympia. Our community has seen a lot of controversy over something that shouldn’t be controversial. The Workers Bill of Rights proposed contains common-sense policies for economic resilience and social justice on the job.

I am a minimum-wage, fast-food service worker. Living on my part-time paycheck just isn’t possible. My employer is consistently working to avoid scheduling full-time workers and having to pay overtime to the few coworkers who get to hit 40 hours a week.

Requiring employers to offer predictable, reasonable hours on a half-decent wage is the only way workers like me can afford anything other than rent, which is over half of my income. It does not allow for many necessary purchases in general or allow us to shop locally or make social outings that contribute to the revival of our downtown.

Workers’ rights aren’t just a nice idea — they’re sound, necessary measures for the future of our city. Let’s keep building a better Olympia for all!

April Miller, Olympia