Medicare and Mr. Burnham

WILLIAM F. RICKENBACKER

In his discussion [“Rhetoric and Medicare,” Aug. 24] of the reasons why a federal program to provide medical care cannot, in the nature of things, be expected to do anything for the elderly who are destitute (they “will of course continue to be helped as they have been: by private charity or public welfare”), Mr. Burnham has hit the nail on the head, and I wish to add my voice to his on the side of right.