I’m shocked: Saint Agnes must be forced to help?

In response to the Sept. 7 Bee story, “Attorney General orders Saint Agnes to pay $2.1 million for charity care health services,” I am both delighted and shocked. I am delighted that more people will receive much-needed health services, but shocked that the attorney general needed to force Saint Agnes Medical Center to do more for its community.

According to The Bee, Saint Agnes argued that since the advent of the Affordable Care Act, fewer people are without insurance, so the hospital should be allowed to reduce its charity care. However, thousands of Fresno residents are still ineligible for health insurance and are not covered by the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, many residents who have insurance have high deductibles, and if they need to be hospitalized, they are likely to go bankrupt. Now is not the time to cut back on health care. More people need coverage to help us become a healthier community.

This story was originally published September 15, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "I’m shocked: Saint Agnes must be forced to help?."