We all know it's time to fix our health care system

Does any reasonable American believe our health care system is not broken? Probably only the few who have good plans believe so or those on government entitlement programs. Just wait until those benefits are lost, and they'll change their minds.

In the real America, tens of millions of people have no insurance and many million others have inadequate health insurance. These are working people, not people mooching off the system. Businesses also are sinking under the costs of providing benefits to employees. That's why these benefits keep getting cut.

If the vast majority of us believe our system is broken, then why are so many people screaming and lying about attempts at major health care reform? It's all about money and the politicians who are protecting special interests. They're good about protecting their interests, and shamelessly lie to Americans about changing anything. Hey, they're making a fortune, so why change that? We should change it because nothing is more fundamental than people having quality health care.

Most Americans have known for decades that the current system was not working properly. It's only gotten worse, and we're at the breaking point. We spend incredible amounts of our GDP paying for health care and our infant mortality rate is far below other industrial nations.

Whenever health care changes are mentioned, the big corporations start cranking out commercials trying to scare the public that they won't be able to select their doctors, that they won't be able to get treatment, etc. They make silly claims about Canada's system or European systems. Truth is, their health care is better than ours.

Many Americans can't get the treatment they need because it costs so much. If they are willing to get it, they can face bankruptcy. They go without life-saving drugs. This serves no one. Our country is better than this sham of a system that we allow to continue.

We aren't necessarily advocating a single payer system, or a universal program or whatever is out there. All we want is a system where any American has legitimate access to health care when they need it. No one should have to go without care because they can't afford the co-pay or the prescription drugs. And no, Viagra and other "lifestyle" drugs don't count. Neither are face-lifts. We're talking about the things that keep people healthy.

We don't care if Republicans or Democrats come up with the plan, we just want this fixed. And we shouldn't care one bit if it adversely affects some insurance company or pharmaceutical company that has been reaping billions in windfalls with the current system. This isn't about them, it's about public health and it's time to fix it.