MAILBAG: Illegal immigrants could worsen care

Patricia Harris rails against politicians of all stripes, beholden to special interests and dismissive of legitimate concerns by their own constituents (“United against our poor health care in the States,” Aug. 1).

“The current health care bill, the stimulus, omnibus cap and trade bills,” she writes, “are all imbued with an ‘urgency of passage’ that appears designed to deny debate and discourage transparency.”

Likewise, there seems to be a mad rush for “comprehensive immigration reform” — read: amnesty — for an estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Nevermind that California taxpayers reportedly spend $10 billion a year on education, housing and medical care for illegal immigrants, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform. And that’s just one state.

Imagine the disastrous impact on the health-care system if millions of newly minted citizens and their impoverished relatives (family reunification equals chain migration) line up for public benefits and services.

LES HAMMER

Glendale

News-Press lacking in valley coverage

I agree with Donna Armstrong’s letter regarding the end of the Crescenta Valley Sun (“The Valley Sun did a better job,” Aug. 4).

I seem to recall in their last issue that the Glendale News-Press would be taking over covering the Crescenta Valley. I have yet to see that.

That is too bad. I too miss the Valley Sun. Looks like La Crescenta will once again be forgotten. I hope the News-Press steps up!

SUZANNE ARNETT

La Crescenta

Greed helped ruin U.S. health care

Those who have worked for government agencies, school districts, etc., and have guaranteed, lifetime, affordable health insurance believe that there’s nothing wrong with the state of health care in America.

Their arguments against a public health plan will become more credible when they offer a better alternative (“Health care ought to be top priority,” Aug. 5). For many years, conservatives have questioned the need to ensure access to a basic level of health care for all Americans. They trusted that the free market would keep health insurance competitive. Now that we’re facing the consequences of unchecked greed and absence of regulation, President Obama has taken a firm position on reform.