Time to act on health care reform

Here they go again: more of the same old politically impotent non-solutions from some of our elected state officials. Politics as usual in Springfield is what got us into this cancerous health care crisis. It will only continue to grow until our elected officials finally bypass petty politics and do what 79 percent of Illinois voters want them to do: enact affordable quality guaranteed health care in our state.

Last year, the "Do-Nothing" proponents in Springfield succeeded in again implementing their solution to the health care crisis: taking no action at all. Because of their "success" in 2008, hard working Illinois families and businesses will shell out another $3 billion in unnecessary health care spending. Another 40,000 working Illinoisans will lose their health insurance.

Where will this end? Until real health care reform is enacted, it is not only the state budget that is in trouble. Illinois families, businesses, and all governmental bodies are enduring increasing budget pressures, induced primarily by skyrocketing health care costs.

Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 to be transferred to your representative, and tell them to be a health care hero by passing comprehensive health care reform now.

Visit our Web site (www.cbhconline.org) to find other ways you can make a difference. Our representatives need to show the voters of Illinois that they can govern and will solve the major economic problems facing our state, our businesses, and our families. Espousing the failed approach of "politics as usual" and issuing politically expedient sound bytes is disingenuous and is causing massive harm to Illinois families and businesses. The public outcry for fundamental change that is sweeping our state and nation must not be dismissed.

Jim Duffett

Executive Director

IL Campaign for Better Health Care

Champaign