Sometimes-ugly health fight worth it

While being widely vilified, navigating a sea of distortions and lies told by opponents and repeated endlessly by the media, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid and other Democrats in Congress have made great progress on heath care reform.

I encourage them to continue and see this important process through. I especially commend Sen. Reid and Speaker Pelosi for standing up for a public option. In doing so, they reflect the will of the people, who in poll after poll, say they support it.

Health care reform is critical to the future of our country. We are closer than ever, yet far from done. The bills can be improved and those working to pass reform must resist pressure from insurance industry lobbyists and work to ensure that the final bill will protect American citizens from the tragic consequences and financial burden of being uninsured, underinsured, or the victim of the bad practices of insurers, such as being told you are not covered due to a pre-existing conditions, being dropped when you get sick or paying more because you are a woman.

It was never going to be easy - it has been a long, difficult and, at times, very ugly fight. But reform is critical to our future and worth the effort.

Patricia Klingelhoffer

Villa Park