And we wait

As we await the vote from the Finance Committee on their health insurance overhaul (which, says C-Span, is expected to pass along party lines), let me provide you with some health insurance facts:

• In 2008, nearly 44 million Americans were uninsured. This makes up 17 percent of the nation's population. Among children, 8.9 percent were uninsured. (CDC)
• National health care spending reached 17.6 percent of our national GDP, or about $2.5 trillion. In terms of GDP, the costs are expected to increase faster than GDP-- health expenditures are expected to rise 6.2 percent per year while the GDP increases at 4.1 percent. (NCHC) Let us remember, though, that this is not a call for a growing economy, but, rather, a more just economy economically with a cost-controlled health care policy.
• The average family's health insurance premium in 2008 was an astounding $12,680, up from $9950 in 2004. (US News and World Report). The price will continue to rise without a fundamental change in our system.
  

Armed with facts, we can take any challenge. Go fight for real change..