Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As I read the letter from Peter Courtenay Stephens of Hayes ("Health care issue is one of personal responsibility," April 5 Readers Write), I could not help but be struck that the argument presented is not against national health insurance. Instead, it is an argument against health insurance in general.

The real issue is that we as a society already recognize health care as a right. This is manifested in laws that allow anyone to obtain medical services at a hospital emergency room, regardless of their ability to pay. There is a cost associated with this right. The question before us is how, as a society, are we going to pay that cost. Even if "Obamacare" is not the solution, this issue will remain.

Eric Rosenfeld

Gloucester Point, Va.
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