In the 1970s, deregulating savings and loan institutions led to a meltdown and a bailout costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

In the early 2000s, deregulating energy companies gave Enron executives the opportunity to fleece utilities and their customers for more billions, followed by collapse of the company and the retirement dreams of its own employees.

Currently, we are reaping the sour dividends from deregulating mortgage companies, banks, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies, all of which are responsible only to their management and stockholders.

Still, State Rep. Barbara Bailey believes that deregulating the state’s insurance companies will make them more efficient and lower the cost of health care. Most consumer advocates believe insurance companies become “more efficient” by denying claims and that any money saved only pads their bottom line.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler says that “a large share” of the thousands of complaints fielded by his office are supported by insurance agents who believe their own companies treat clients unfairly.

Bailey’s opponent, Patricia Terry, believes that health care consumers will fare better with a single payer, responsible only to the people, that does not peddle pharmaceuticals or insurance, give kickbacks to physicians, deny claims, or donate lavishly to political candidates.

Patricia Terry is a health care professional who believes in getting big business out of health care. Walking the talk, she refuses to solicit or accept campaign donations from health insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Vote for Patricia Terry for State Representative, Position 2.

James Bruner