Saturday, March 1, 2008

Much has been said and written about the Democratic candidates' health-care proposals [front page, Feb. 27]. I question Sen. Barack Obama's definition of the word "universal."

Central to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's message is universal health care -- meaning that everyone would be covered. Mr. Obama's plan does not include everyone.

It was a bold move in the 1930s to implement the Social Security Act, and it was a bold move to implement the law establishing Medicare in the 1960s. It will take a courageous president to implement a health care program that truly covers everyone.

MARIA CORDONE

College Park

The writer is vice chair of the Democratic National Committee's Seniors Coordinating Council and a Democratic "superdelegate" from Maryland.