There is no doubt that the problems facing our nation’s health care system pose a serious threat to our families and our leadership position in the world. Skyrocketing costs are eroding worker’s coverage and paychecks. Sixteen percent of Americans have no coverage at all – a problem that has worsened in the last five years. We reward clinics and hospitals not by the quality of care they provide, but by the number of patients they treat.

Government must play a role in fixing these problems; taking action in the public’s interest without taking over control of the system.

The issues we face affect everyone, and an effective solution can only come from a serious commitment from everyone. If we work together, we can reverse these trends and ensure that America truly has the best health care system in the world. We can do this by taking steps to control costs, improve quality and expand access. Ensuring that everyone has health coverage should be a shared responsibility and not a government entitlement.

We need to share responsibility for devising a solution to our health care system, at the federal, state and local government levels and in partnership with the private sector health providers and insurers.

Unfortunately, partisan politics have worsened the situation. In 2007, the President and some Republicans in Congress stood in the way of expanding health care coverage to children from Nebraska’s working families. There are 34,000 uninsured children in Nebraska, all in need of access to safe, affordable health care. I fully support the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as S-CHIP.

For the past 20 years Congress has had the opportunity to fix health care – making it more accessible and more affordable. However, they have failed to reach workable solutions due to the incredible influence of powerful special interests and partisan posturing. It’s time for a fresh approach to health care – one that relieves the squeeze on Nebraska’s working families. That will take new leadership and fresh ideas.