Health care a right, not a privilege

No American should have to go to sleep wondering whether they can financially survive an illness or health care issue. The sense of peace and security that comes with these issues becoming part of our rights as Americans should be fundamental. Our discussions as seniors should not revolve around whether our HMO will cover things that our PPO takes for granted. Our focus shouldn't have to revolve around health problems and whether we will be able to financially survive into our twilight years. We are growing more and more cynical about any level of service our health care service provides because we fear we might not fill in the correct blank, the right form, or get the approval in advance of a basic health test. This is just wrong. No country on earth should have better care, better birthrate stats or longer life spans.

Our health as Americans is what we bring to the table of our democracy. It is a minimum expectation, not a frill or an extra. Good health should not be the exclusive privilege of the rich. I expect those guys in Washington to comply with what Americans want. That is health care as a basic part of our American life, right beside education for our children, military, police and fire protection for our safety, and libraries. Something done together works to the betterment of the common good. Health care reform today, not another fake promise of tomorrow.

James Neal

Waukegan