Glad to hear you’re in favor of universal healthcare. (Susan Beverly, Letter to the Editor, April 26) So am I. Let me first say that I work full time, live in a working-class neighborhood (no upscale residence for me, no favored consumer status), and my kids go to public school. And you don’t need to worry that you pay for my healthcare. I also pay a separate health insurance premium through my work plus office deductibles, just like most people do. I also don’t mind paying taxes for schools and emergency services used as common resources by the community.

As for Group Health, my brother-in-law was a doctor there for 25 years and I think it is a great organization. I am in favor of legitimate cooperatives.

I don’t mind paying for my own healthcare insurance with a little extra for others because I know it’s important to our senior citizens who have to get by on Medicare. We have a lot of them in Renton. Healthcare access is also essential for people with full- time jobs, low incomes and no health insurance, otherwise known as the working poor. Those people find the current system grossly unfair, too. Especially when their kids are sick and they can’t get medical care. It all may look like a “crooked line” to some, but people need healthcare. If you are in favor of universal coverage that should be obvious.

Fortunately, we have Valley Medical Center (VMC), the publicly controlled health provider that gives access to a lot of people who do not have health insurance. Last year they were the second-leading provider of healthcare in Washington to people without insurance coverage by a wide margin. Harborview Hospital, another publicly controlled institution, was the leader.

By the way the Valley Dividend Program has increased by 50 percent over the last year, from $2,000 to $3,000, in recognition of taxpayer support. Have you found a private healthcare provider in Washington that pays a dividend of up to $3,000 yet?

Tom Reiter

Renton