If not us, who? If not now, when?

Health care issues for the average working American have not evaporated into our polluted atmosphere. Americans are still struggling to afford coverage, and many still face financial ruin due to unpaid hospital bills.

This is criminal in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. In 2009, the average cost of health care coverage was in excess of $8,000 per person. If we continue to ignore this national crisis, the cost of health care is expected to double by 2019.

We need to send a message to the men and women we sent to Washington to represent us: Pass health care reform now. The stakes are too high and we want action. If our senators and congressmen cannot get the job done, then we need to cast the old guard aside and send in a new breed of politician, statesmen with our agenda foremost in mind ... not their own re-election.

I support President Obama in calling on Congress to pass real health care reform now. He is concerned with the well-being of the nation, not with being a two-term president. He is committed to change. Congress needs to follow his model and be the agents of change and integrity we so desperately need in passing health care reform. If not us, who? If not now, when?

Laurie Handelman

Naperville