Time has come for universal health care

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

Saturday, March 28, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

There will be a major battle in Congress as President Barack Obama tries to provide health care for all Americans.

On the right will be congressional Republicans, allied with and supported by the pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, as well as numerous other health-related agencies, which are bound and determined to defeat any attempt to bring universal health care to America.

On the left will be the president, most congressional Democrats, and many agencies and groups that try to provide for the needs of American families.

Before you listen to either side, know that there are more than 40 million Americans without health insurance, and this number may have increased dramatically with recent massive layoffs.

Know also that among 36 nations that provide health care for all their citizens, there are similar layoffs, but losing your job in those countries does not affect your health coverage.

Despite the fact that we spend twice as much as these other countries for our health care, we get significantly less for the money. It’s time for America to move to universal health care. It’s the sensible thing to do.