More than 45 million Americans don't have health insurance, and the number is growing. The Democratic candidates for next year's presidential election discussed their health-care plans at a recent forum moderated by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Service Employees International Union (SEUI). But we don't have to wait for a new presidential administration to begin addressing the health-care crisis.

The National Healthcare Bill, H.R. 676, has been reintroduced in Congress by Rep. John Conyers of Michigan. H.R. 676 would provide affordable health care for all U.S. residents by expanding and improving the Medicare program to create a publicly financed, yet privately delivered, health-care system.

The organization Healthcare-NOW! (www.healthcare-now.org) has designated the month of April as Martin Luther King National Healthcare Month. What better way to honor the legacy of Dr. King than to pursue a cause he championed during his life? Ask your representative in Congress to support H.R. 676, and help make affordable health care for all Americans a reality.

Eddie Konczal

Monroe