Let me first say that I work full-time, live in a working-class neighborhood (no upscale residence for me, no favored consumer status), and my kids go to public school. And you don’t need to worry that you pay for my healthcare. I also pay a separate health insurance premium through my work, plus office deductibles, just like most people do. I also don’t mind paying taxes for schools and emergency services used as common resources by the community.

I don’t mind paying for my own healthcare insurance with a little extra for others because I know it’s important to our senior citizens who have to get by on Medicare.

Healthcare access is also essential for people with full-time jobs, low incomes and no health insurance, otherwise known as the working poor. Those people find the current system grossly unfair, too, especially when their kids are sick and they can’t get medical care. It all may look like a “crooked line” to some, but people need healthcare. If you are in favor of universal coverage, that should be obvious.

Fortunately, we have Valley Medical Center, the publicly controlled health provider that gives access to a lot of people who don’t have health insurance. Last year it was the second-leading provider of healthcare in Washington to people without insurance coverage by a wide margin. Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, another publicly controlled institution, was the leader.

By the way, the Valley dividend program has increased by 50 percent over the last year from $2,000 to $3,000 in recognition of taxpayer support. Have you found a private healthcare provider in Washington that pays a dividend of up to $3,000 yet?

TOM REITER

Renton