Saving to buy a house or to help a child go to college is out of reach for large numbers of families. Tragically, for many of these struggling families, health insurance and adequate healthcare are luxuries they cannot afford. Most Americans agree that good health is an essential part of the American dream. The pursuit of other goals depends on good health and access to good healthcare. Children suffer because their parents cannot afford decent care.
Families face financial disaster because of the high cost of serious illness.
Every such case in our affluent society mocks the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that is the nation s founding ideal. Disease and injury deprive too many Americans of the opportunity to enjoy these basic rights. Many of these individuals and families who go without coverage are the same persons who are disadvantaged in other areas. Good healthcare should be a basic right for all Americans. The number of Americans lacking health insurance continues to rise.