Save lives, and life savings

As a cancer survivor and advocate, I know that our nation's current health care system does not work well for many people with cancer.

Cancer patients across the country are digging deep into their savings and risking financial ruin to pay for lifesaving treatment and care. One in four families affected by cancer says they have had to put off or delay care in the last year because of cost, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. We cannot reduce death and suffering from cancer if we do not improve access to quality, affordable health care across the country. Too many cancer patients are delaying or foregoing critical screenings and treatments because of problems accessing care. I urge Senators Burris and Durbin and Congressman Kirk to guarantee quality, affordable insurance available to all Americans.

Health reform is about saving lives, and it is too important to stall now. We need Congress to put aside partisan politics and act NOW, not later, on behalf of all of their constituents who have cancer, or who could get cancer - in other words, all of us.

No cancer patient should ever be forced to make a decision between saving their life or their life savings.

Maggie Powell

Waukegan