Healthcare isn't just a public policy issue; it's a moral issue.

My father is a pediatrician and family physician who has practiced medicine for over 30 years. In fact, it's hard to talk about my campaign around Albemarle and Greene County without someone remarking, "Your dad was my pediatrician and now he's my kids' pediatrician." Growing up with three siblings in a very active family, I was fortunate enough that when I twisted my ankle or got sick, my dad was there to take care of me.

But for so many families, that's not the case. We often hear the tragic number of 47 million Americans without healthcare. But did you know that 9 million of those uninsured are children? That includes 157,000 children right here in Virginia. Think about it: 157,000 kids of Virginia's working families who do not get the proper vaccinations and preventative care all because the system is broken.

Healthcare isn't just a public policy issue; it's a moral issue.

Even those of us who are fortunate enough to have insurance have to jump through so many hoops to get the care we paid for. The HMOs and insurance companies have put a stranglehold on our system. Our hospitals these days seem to have fewer beds and more offices for administrators and lawyers. And meanwhile, the rising costs are crushing our small business owners who take such pride in providing care for their workers. 

When it comes to healthcare, I'm a pragmatist. I'm not married to one particular plan. But I do believe that every American deserves access to a doctor he or she can afford. And I am willing to sit down with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to bring down the costs and expand coverage.

One place to start is by getting the cost of prescription drugs under control. This is getting harder and harder, however, as special interest money has taken control of our politics. Last year, Congress voted against allowing the Medicare program to negotiate lower drug prices, which is why drugs for seniors are 50% more expensive than those at the VA. This basically amounted to a $600 billion handout to the drug companies. Being able to negotiate better drug prices for our seniors is plain, common-sense policy that was derailed because of the corruption in Washington.

Another way we can have our healthcare system work for the people again is by expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This is a program that covers children of working families who are making too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to be able to afford private insurance. Congress passed this bill last year, but it was vetoed by President Bush, and even with wide bipartisan support in the Senate, the House of Representatives did not override the veto.

When it comes to healthcare, our lives and our children's lives are literally on the line. We cannot afford to let the special interests control a system that leaves so many Americans behind.

Tom Perriello is the Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia's Fifth District. You can find out more about his campaign at www.PerrielloForCongress.com or by visiting one of our seven district offices in: Appomattox, Bedford, Charlottesville, Danville, Farmville, Martinsville, and Moneta.