So far, the health-reform debate has produced many headlines with the patient perspective often drowned out by partisan positioning and pundit analysis. Now it's time for all Americans to tune in and raise questions about how our representatives' actions will affect them. Health-care reform isn't just about policy and politics; it's about us and our families.

Congress is in the midst of a historic debate, the results of which could cover more than 46 million Americans without health insurance and could finally solve problems that have stumped policymakers for half a century.

But in the end, successful health-care reform should address one concern: Will every American have access to high- quality, affordable health care?

Unfortunately, under the current health-care system the answer is "No." Over the past few decades, U.S. health care has focused on providing more care, even if it doesn't improve our health. In fact, we are learning that more office visits, more tests and more procedures often do not produce better health care. It's just more expensive care — much more expensive.

Green Bay Press-Gazette, by Jeffrey Korsmo, August 30, 2009

Tags: health care reform, Health Policy, Health Policy