The benefits of vaccinations appear only if herd immunity occurs, which relies on 85% to 95% of the population being vaccinated, so Rep. Jeff Holcomb’s bill (HB 917) would literally kill the benefit of vaccinations.
Also, ivermectin? I guess that if the goal is to clear worms from the gut, then maybe that would be effective. But to treat COVID? I didn’t know COVID was caused by worms. (Oops! It’s not!)
If people want to follow this insanity, then we are once again going to experience the morbidity and significant mortality of those diseases these vaccinations prevent.
Stephen Garramone, M.D., Melbourne
(Editor’s Note: Holcomb, a Republican, is from Spring Hill in Hernando County. His “medical freedom” bill would allow ivermictin to be sold without a prescription and would shield pharmacists from liability or possible disciplinary action. The bill would have to pass the House Health Care Committee, where five members are Democrats, all from our region: Reps. Robin Bartleman of Weston, Daryl Campbell of Fort Lauderdale, Rob Long of Delray Beach, Mitch Rosenwald of Oakland Park, and Marie Woodson of Hollywood.)
A very positive sign
Thank you for sharing that incredibly moving story about the mother bringing her baby to term in order to share her organs. (Florida mom knew baby would not live but carried her to term to give others life, originally published in the Tampa Bay Times.)
What a wrenching decision that must have been to make, and so heartbreaking to follow through on.
Even though it was a sad story, the impact ultimately is uplifting and hopeful.
Maybe there is still good in this country.
Julie Goldich, Parkland
Fix this crisis, Congress
For months, parents and caregivers have demanded that Congress act to protect our health care, but Republican leaders and President Trump refused to take seriously the health care crisis they created.
On Dec. 17, four House Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote to extend the ACA tax credits when Congress returns — a clear path forward.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which make health care coverage affordable for tens of millions, expired Dec. 31. Nearly 5 million people, including children and people with pre-existing conditions, will lose health care coverage altogether. More than 20 million people will see their health care costs double or even quadruple.
Dire consequences don’t stop there. Millions of uninsured will strain the entire health care system, driving up costs across the board and forcing hundreds of hospitals, maternity wards and nursing homes to close.
Research has found that millions of Americans will collectively pay an estimated $23 billion more in 2026 to maintain existing levels of coverage. This harms the economy and families.
The House will vote in January, and there’s majority support for a clean, three-year extension. Protecting affordable health care for millions is now in the hands of the Senate. Finish the job: Extend the expired ACA tax credits!
Cindy Araya, Miami
Doing the right thing
I read with interest your editorial, “Such a contrast: Gore’s concession, Trump’s obsession,” which was printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Sunday, Dec. 21.
If Al Gore wanted to do the right thing for the country, he would have resigned as Vice President when President Bill Clinton was caught in a sex scandal. The sole act of standing for morals and virtue would have been the right thing.
So set aside all the talk about hanging chads, swinging chads, pregnant chads and the Supreme Court decisions. Doing the right thing is often the most difficult. Gore had an opportunity to do so well before his own run for presidency.
He chose otherwise, and we know the result.
Dennis Walsh, Lakewood, Ohio
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