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Letter: Scalise shows how important health care is

FILE - In May 17, 2017 file photo, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La. speaks with the media on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans and Democrats fight for bragging rights Thursday in the annual Congressional Baseball game as one unit, Team Scalise. The opposing sides are paying tribute to Scalise, who was critically wounded when a gunman opened fire at baseball practice in Virginia on Wednesday. Scalise was fielding balls at second base when he was hit in the hip, and sustained grievous injuries as the bullet traveled through his pelvis and injured internal organs. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

I am glad that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise is recovering and was able to return to his work in the U.S. House of Representatives. He said, “I’m definitely a living example that miracles really do happen.” I hope he and others in his workplace appreciate that those “miracles” are helped along by access to excellent health care.

As a parent, I have experienced first-hand the value of health care, sometimes to treat an ear infection or a broken arm, and sometimes to save a child’s life. Our “miracle” was the result of excellent surgeons’ work aided by health care professionals and equipment.

Rep. Scalise and his colleagues probably do not have the power to make miracles happen for other families, but they do have the power to remove barriers to health care, and I implore them to use Rep. Scalise’s recovery as inspiration to use those special powers for others.

Charlotte L. Miller

Salt Lake City