Obama's on the right track with health care initiative

There are few better examples of the need for fundamental reform than in our health care system.

Our health care system is broken. Health insurance premiums are going through the roof and the number of uninsured is rising. Forty-five million Americans don't have insurance, either because they can't afford the high premiums or they were denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions-including 17% percent of people in Alaska. Many families are losing their choice of doctors due to insurance cutbacks. Some are losing the choice to even visit a doctor when they're sick. Elderly couples across Alaska are being forced to choose between buying groceries or the medications they need.

We've all heard stories from friends and families who have been affected by the high costs of health care. On a recent call with reporters, the President told us about a woman in Minnesota who worked hard, saved and built up a nest-egg for retirement. Then she was forced to watch all her savings disappear on health care costs after having a stroke. He also told the stories of two women who can only go see a doctor in an emergency because they can't afford insurance. Sadly, stories like these are all too common.

In fact, I've seen people I work with become stricken with cancer and then forced to raise $250,000 because they had minimal health care and could not begin their chemotherapy. My co-workers and I wanted to help, so we had a bake sale for them: A bake sale to save someone's life. America needs to fix its health care system.

But reforming the health care system isn't just a moral imperative, it's a fiscal imperative. State and local governments are facing cutbacks across the board and can no longer bear the burden of emergency care for the uninsured. Businesses, large and small, are struggling to balance their books and are forced to cut jobs because they can't afford the rising cost of insuring their employees.

Politicians from all sides of the aisle agree that the system isn't working. So now it's time to move from talk to action, and that's why President Obama has committed to swiftly enacting substantial reform that's based on three principles-reducing the costs of care for families, businesses and government, guaranteeing Americans can keep their choice of doctor and coverage, and ensuring that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance.

Reforming the system will undoubtedly be a huge undertaking. Health care is an issue that affects every American and the only way we can successfully change the system is by bringing all voices to the table. That's why President Obama will tackle this in the same way he has taken on all the major challenges of his administration-by listening to voices on all sides of the debate.

We must move beyond the divisive arguments that have plagued past attempts at reform. Americans can no longer bear the burden of a broken health care system. We must act now to enact reform that works for families, local governments, and businesses alike.

Patti Higgins is chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.