Letters to the Editor

New life for the inn

With work well underway on the next phase of the extension of the Chester Valley Trail, it's worth noting that the trail will eventually pass right by the King of Prussia Inn. That's why the inn would make a wonderful trailhead and information center for hikers, bikers, and other visitors. It would be an ideal site for a rest break, refreshments, and a chance to learn about the past, present, and future of Upper Merion. This is what the King of Prussia Historical Society envisions - to return the inn to the people of Upper Merion, who invested in moving and restoring the building a decade ago. Our goal is for it to become a welcome center, museum, and library, as first promised when the inn was moved.

Francis X. Luther, board chairman, King of Prussia Historical Society

Obama-fication

Michael Smerconish refers to the "Ted Cruz-ification" of the Republican Party and seems to imply that it's a bad thing ("A view from the right, the right way," Nov. 3). And I happen to agree. The ideologues and narcissists trying to move the GOP farther and farther to the right are out of touch with everyday Americans.

But of course he doesn't mention the "Obama-fication" of the Democratic Party by the ideologues and narcissists of the far left, which is just as out of touch with everyday Americans. The left just doesn't seem to understand that we do not want the government to take care of all our needs.

George R. Kawchak Jr., Phoenixville

Real competition

Purposefully, the Obama administration and Congress left the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 in place when crafting national health-care reforms, and one has to wonder why. McCarran-Ferguson guaranteed the insurance industry's antitrust exemption, and at the same time made it clear that Washington would not regulate insurance - leaving that to the states. Without the right to exchange information and fix prices, insurers said they could not offer health insurance, which was in its infancy then.

But now that we want uniform and portable health care, it cannot be implemented with these restrictions in place. You must be able to sell across state lines. Once you are in agreement that preexisting conditions cannot prevent you from buying a policy, McCarran-Ferguson cannot be justified.

Jim Foster, Philadelphia

Watch hidden costs

Lourdes Medical Center did the right thing in resolving patient Lee Koff's outstanding balance for his care ("Confusing health-care plans," Oct. 21). Since Medicare Advantage plans operate by rules somewhat different from traditional Medicare, and can charge different out-of-pocket costs, it is entirely possible that a $6,100 coinsurance bill could have been incurred for Koff's procedure. However, if Koff had received his defibrillator implant under traditional Medicare, it is likely that his out-of-pocket expense would not have exceeded the applicable Medicare deductible, which was $1,184 for 2013. With supplemental coverage, his deductible could have been covered completely.

Koff's story should serve as a cautionary tale about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. Lower monthly premiums can appear inviting, but exposure to significantly greater out-of-pocket expenses and other nuances should be considered carefully.

Rick Pugach, president and chief executive officer, Health Navigaid, Havertown, rick@healthnavigaid.com

Marketplace of ideas

I enjoy The Inquirer's letters from readers, editorials, and the variety of columnists - from Trudy Rubin to Charles Krauthammer. There are few enough places where you can find disparate views in one place. Please reconsider the move to reduce the daily opinion pages, which has made The Inquirer a little less attractive than it once was.

Kenneth W. Ford, Philadelphia, kenneth.w.ford@gmail.com