Half a loaf is better than none 

A perfect health-care bill is simply not possible. There are way too many lobbyists representing too many special interest groups putting pressure on our representatives and senators. There is a lot of money at stake. That being said, we do have an opportunity to make some major changes in the way health care is structured in this country, under these conditions:

1.A public option is necessary to truly make health-care coverage competitive. 

2.Health-care costs must be affordable for everyone. We are trailing many of our more progressive European counterparts and even our bordering countries to our north and south in this critical area, which is quite embarrassing. 

3.Women must have control over their own bodies when it comes to reproductive choices. Congress doesn’t have the right to mandate otherwise.

4.Insurance companies must be held to the same antitrust laws as any other corporate entity. 

5.Any new insurance program must be funded fairly.

Any new law will not be perfect, but we must reach a consensus that moves us in the right direction. Achieving real significant change is never easy, but the healthcare system we have is simply not working.

-- Dixon Moore - San Luis Obispo