While "Saving the Safety Net" (Editorial, March) highlights some important issues regarding the current state of health insurance for our most vulnerable, it falls short of magnifying the need for universal health care in the United States. A single-payer system would satisfy health care needs for all and would have the protection of our government through legislation. This would be a safety net that covers everyone and keeps our children and elderly healthy.

Many other industrialized countries have single-payer or universal insurance and the United States is one of the richest countries of all. Health care should be a right and not a privilege; however, the current system favors those who can afford it. I agree that we should save the safety net, and think the best way to accomplish this is to elect politicians who care about the needs of many and not the greed of a few.

Earl Thompson, nursing student

Brooklyn, NY