Should the U.S. have a national health-care system? Health care is likely to be one of the key issues in next year's election.

• Author: Edwards, John
• Position: DEBATE

YES We have two healthcare systems in America. People with good insurance get excellent care. But most families are just one bad break, like a lost job or a serious illness, away from crisis.

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I believe we should build one America, with one health system in which everyone can get decent, affordable health care. This means asking everyone to share the responsibility of helping to finance health care for all and paying what you can for your own care.

A universal health-care system would translate into reality what Americans believe--that health care is a right, not a privilege. America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, but 18,000 people die each year because they don't have insurance. That's just wrong.

Insisting that every American participate in a universal system will save money by spreading out the risk. Today, families with insurance pay more for their coverage--an additional $922 a year on average--because they wind up footing part of the bill for treating the uninsured.

But this debate is about more than 45 million uninsured Americans. Millions more have inadequate insurance that doesn't cover all their needs. And because our current system relies mostly on employers to provide insurance, other people stay in jobs they'd otherwise leave just to hold on to their health insurance.

It's time to act. A million Americans lose their health insurance every year. Universal health care is the most important thing we can do to provide security for American workers and families.

--FORMER SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS

Democratic candidate for President

NO Politicians of all stripes are talking about health care these days, with many implying that "universal health insurance" will put everything right with America's health-care system.

But there's a big difference...