Dear Sir:

Welcome to Shepherdstown! We look forward to your work as the new editor of the Chronicle.

I write to thank Chris Foust and owner Lawrence Cumbo of the Shepherdstown Opera House for their generosity and help in providing a venue for a film and program organized by the Eastern Panhandle Single-Payer Action Network (EPSPAN) last month.

Close to 100 people attended “Now Is the Time: Healthcare for Everybody.” A fast paced, information packed piece, the movie demonstrated how creating a national healthcare system, financed by our taxes but in which care is provided by private practitioners, would result in better health outcomes and much less financial burden for most American families.

Dr. Margaret Flowers, a national advocate for improved Medicare for all, responded to numerous questions following the movie. She described the benefits of “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All,” HR 676, a bill in Congress with 112 cosponsors.

The bill would provide comprehensive benefits and cover all medically necessary services, including doctor visits and hospital stays, prescription medicines, vision, dental, and hearing services without copays and deductibles. We would have choice of practitioner – no provider would be “out of network.” Dr. Flowers and the film provided details about how the nation can afford the plan.

It is expected that Bernie Sanders will soon introduce a similar bill in the Senate. EPSPAN can provide information about improved Medicare for all to readers who contact us at epspan@gmail.com.

We thank Mr. Cumbo and Mr. Foust for enabling us to bring this informative event to our community.

Ann L. Coulter

Member, EPSPAN, a chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, Healthcare-Now, and Health Over Profit.

Shepherdstown