I was very pleased to read about the many opportunities for the uninsured and the nursing profession in "Health Care Reform: What's in It for Nursing?" (Policy and Politics, July 2010).

Working at a county hospital in a border city, I see many patients who rely on the ED for their medical care. They can't access primary or preventive care because they don't have insurance. Patients are discharged home with the right medications but often don't have access to appropriate follow-up care and ultimately return to the ED.

I was previously uninsured, and I know how difficult it is to not be able to visit a physician because of the inability to pay. With health care reform in place, hopefully the number of healthy people will increase.

Maria Alba, RN

El Paso, Texas