Abstract

Scientific progress in the areas of health and biological science is phenomenal. Still, current health policies limit optimal benefit for our peoples. Our present system costs too much, delivers too little, is not comprehensive, coherent, or cost-effective, does not allow choice, is not equitable, and is not universal. We must overcome many crises if we are to create a healthy people fro the twenty-first century in the US. We will need to use multiple strategies to achieve the nation's goals of Healthy People 2010, which are to: 1) increase the quality and years of healthy live; 2) eliminate health disparities; 3) provide access to primary preventive care for all citizens. We are the richest country in the world and the only industrialized country that does not provide health care for its entire people. Health care costs are escalating and insurance is out of reach for many. Public policy changes are necessary to provide universal access to basic health care. We have advances in sciences; now we need the science delivered to our people in an equitable way. Politicians will respond proportionately to the insistence of the people. Healthcare professionals and scientists should lead the way