Letters: Vaccine delays | Newsom conflict | State unsuited

East Bay Times Letters to the Editor for March 14, 2021

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While officials argue,
people wait for vaccines

I am getting fed up. The counties are fighting with the state and with Blue Shield, which is supposed to take over the administration of the vaccination program. So once again it is back to political bickering.

And in the meantime, those of us who are retirees and slightly under 65 are trying to get vaccinated. Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be underserved, educators, essential, caregivers, public sector workers, congregate housing inmates or residents, homeless or any of the other special interest groups in California that would qualify us.

So while they are fighting about all of this, we are anxiously awaiting our opportunity to get vaccinated. I have been waiting patiently, but I am starting to get perturbed as other states increase their residents’ eligibility by age.

Patricia Hunt
Hayward

Blue Shield fiasco
shows Newsom conflict

I was disgusted and dismayed when I read about the mess with Blue Shield trying to take over what the counties have put together for vaccine distribution (“Tensions rise as state now insists Blue Shield will oversee vaccine distribution,” Page A1, March 11). I wondered by what rationale could some state official think it appropriate that a private insurance company takes over in California.

Your editorial Thursday (“State’s troubled vaccine bargain with Blue Shield,” Page A6) had a key phrase that makes it all clear. Blue Shield has been a major contributor to the Newsom campaign.

Good grief, I’ve been a supporter of Newsom up to this point, even forgiving the tone-deaf French Laundry misstep. But this is not a misstep, this is a major blunder. In fact, it rather illustrates the ongoing problem, conflict of interest and waste in involving insurance companies in health care.

Dave Coleman
Castro Valley

State incapable
of running health care

Assembly Bill 1400, California’s Guaranteed Health Care for All act, is in essence a single-payer bill. I for one do not want to lose my Kaiser Medicare Advantage health care, especially since California has proven to me that it cannot handle caring for large numbers of Californians.

Look at the EDD, where innumerable citizens have been decimated by the hellishly inefficient department. And the DMV isn’t efficient either. Until California fixes those two institutions, they should not even consider taking on health care. Also, they should not take away health care from those satisfied with what they already have.

Those wanting to preserve their current plans should contact their Assembly members and make their wishes understood. Citizens must make it clear to them that they will need to vote against AB 1400 as it stands, or the citizens will not vote for them. Insist on knowing your Assembly member’s stance on the matter.

Cynthia Earl
Fremont