Do you ever wonder why your health care costs so much and continues to go up every year?

Here is just one of the reasons: Executive salaries and perks.

Did you happen to see the Feb. 6 article in The Herald concerning the top-10 executive salaries at Carolinas HealthCare Systems? They all received an increase of over 8 percent, and the top two received a increase of over a 12 percent.

The CEO received a salary of over $4.7 million plus other bonuses and retirement benefits The CAO (No. 10) was paid over $1.2 million plus perks. Does anyone besides me think that these salaries are extreme and nowhere near acceptable wages for doing your job?

This compensation was paid for by increasing company profitability, not by reducing the cost of health care to the consumer. And yet we continue to fight against policies that would make “not for profit” health care available. The increases in our health care costs is not limited only to executive pay but also to the way they do business in general. “

Non-profit health care providers practice preventive health care, and thereby reduce costs. When was the last time that you felt like your health care provider was actually concerned with your well being?

I remember that time and it did not cost me a small fortune either. Years ago we could afford to pay our doctors and hospitals directly without insurance. So what happened? Not for profit health care and insurance truly benefit the consumer as they do not have to concern themselves with making a profit for shareholders and, in turn, can charge much lower fees. Personally, I do not want any part of my premiums going into the pocket of a Wall Street investor.

M.D. Taylor

Rock Hill