Members of the Legislature will have a choice next January. Will they override Arne Carlson’s veto of H.F.2, the Health Care Access and Cost Containment Bill?

Will they stand with the people or with the insurance industry and an unpopular governor? Will they take their cue from nearly every health care provider and advocacy group in the state?

Will they want to run the risk in an election year of telling their constituents they wouldn’t support access to affordable health care or sweeping cost containment reforms?

There are too many people in Minnesota who either have no health coverage or pay too much for too little. There are too many seniors sick of paying up to ten times as much for health coverage than young men.

There are too many people with disabilities or extraordinary medical needs. There are too many women sick of paying twice as much as men.

Come January it’s expected that members will be put to the test. The votes for an override are not yet “in the bag.” But a concerted effort by those who desperately need this bill may swing enough members.

Should, heaven forbid, an override not prevail, rest assured key legislators will be back within days with a bill just as strong or stronger for the governor to sign or veto.

At this very moment legislators across the state are being thanked for their support or urged to reconsider their position on the most remarkable health care access and cost containment bill in America.

The time to call or write legislators is NOW.

– Paul Ogren