Editor,

In response Edward Drum’s June 21 letter to the editor on health care, the allegation that 50 percent of people covered under the American Care Act are not “legal Americans” is factually and legally untrue. Only three categories of people may receive health care insurance under the ACA: United States citizens, U.S. nationals and lawfully present immigrants.

What may true is that because of cost savings from ACA, states may choose to insure more families because they are less cost-burdened by providing care to the uninsured. Even California withdrew its request to cover illegal immigrants under the ACA because it simply cannot be done. To propagate alternative facts reminds me of a quote attributed to either Vladmir Lenin or Joseph Goebells, “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”

This assertion is not the truth.

The letter then focuses on “Medical Savings Accounts” and their benefit to all, especially to those who don’t want to be responsible for women’s health care and pregnancy listing including “post-menopausal women, nuns and men.”

I can pretty much guarantee, even without a randomized, controlled survey that the majority of the first two are willing to support insurance programs that cover pregnancy. As for the last category, I would recommend the writer return to his high school biology class to remember men have a role in pregnancy. He may have an “A” in history for his book report on Thomas Paine, but I think we see a failing grade in biology.

I personally thank Congressman Rick Larsen for protecting our right to health care coverage.

Janet St. Clair

Camano Island