It’s not just EpiPen; address health care costs now
EpiPen prices just the tip of the iceberg
In response to “Lawmakers seek EpiPen details” (Aug. 24):
Is it not criminal for Mylan to raise the price of its EpiPen by more than 400 percent since 2007?
The Mylan CEO received more than a 600 percent increase in compensation, from $2.4 million in 2007 to $18.9 million in 2015. This is gross.
Something is very wrong in our health care system. Our political leaders need to address health care costs now, not later.
Rick Ritter, Charlotte
This is corporate greed at its worst
My wife carries an EpiPen with her everywhere she goes; it’s a matter of life and death.
Fortunately our insurance plan covers the cost of the pens once we meet our deductible.
But what about people who do not have insurance? Or those with children who need to keep several pens in different locations?
The high cost of the pens is a perfect example of corporate greed run amok.
Those who complain about too much government regulation should look at this example and be thankful there are strong regulations.
Augie E. Beasley, Charlotte
Single-stall restroom is solution on HB2
In response to “Texas ruling complicates court fight over HB2” (Aug. 23):
The writer is a retired N.C. psychiatrist.
I agree with the Texas judge who found that the Obama administration’s interpretation of Title IX “undermines the bodily privacy that the regulation was designed to protect.”
To say that a transgender person who was born as a male but has feelings that “she” is a female has the right to use the girl’s restroom and locker room is a right that no “regular” male would have.
If a “regular” adolescent boy goes into a girl’s restroom, he could be arrested as a peeping Tom or exhibitionist.
Transgender persons would have their privacy rights perfectly satisfied if the school or other institution would provide them with a single-stall restroom labeled “Men and/or Women.”
Dr. Robert Prince, Midland
I stand with the governor on HB2
The average person cannot discern with certainty who is transgender and who is not.
HB2 was not about denying transgender rights. It was about denying predators access to women’s facilities.
I support the governor, and the Republican legislature in seeking common sense protections for women and children against sexual predators.
Kathy Rhodarmer, Candler
System failed two recent victims
How can a woman with three DWI offenses be allowed to get in a vehicle and drive again?
How can a residence with 49 calls to authorities within the last three years be viewed as an acceptable atmosphere for a 3-year-old?
The tragic deaths of these two innocent people raises red flags.
The two charged in these cases likely have blood on their hands. But don’t you think authorities let the ball drop?
Clayton Owens, Deep Gap
History shows that walls eventually fail
To the presidential candidates: The Great Wall of China, the Belgorod line in Russia, Berlin Wall and others all eventually failed.
Why would we want to spend billions to build a wall that history has proven will fail, and against a friendly nation?
As for dealing with Mr. Putin, the presidential candidates should be aware that through the centuries Russia has always felt the surrounding countries rightfully belonged to it. Now, the Soviet Union has taken Crimea and is working on Ukraine.
Anyone shaking hands on a deal with Mr. Putin should count their fingers afterward.
Brewster Strope, Iron Station
Stop placing party allegiance above all
In response to “Rucho: Judges ignored evidence in redistricting” (Aug. 18 Opinion):
Sen. Bob Rucho laments an unfavorable legal decision on redistricting and accuses 4th Circuit Court of Appeals judges of being “politicians in black robes,” apparently with a Democratic bias.
Yet aren’t the Republicans guilty of trying to politically influence the U.S. Supreme Court?
Why hasn’t Merrick Garland been given consideration? He has had bipartisan support in the past.
Could it be that his convictions are not sufficiently Republican? It is sad that legislators place party allegiance above compromise and working to improve America.
Jim Ragaini, Charlotte
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 4:28 PM with the headline "It’s not just EpiPen; address health care costs now."