CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, D-Carterville, said his resolve to see that every American has health care is even stronger following a series of town meetings in Southern Illinois. But he feels that it is unlikely Congress will act on a national health care proposal during this election year.

"There is a good chance that something might happen next year," said Poshard. "This is a major issue before Congress."

Poshard, who will be a candidate against Terry Bruce, D-Olney, in the new District 19 during the congressional primary this year, told groups at Marion, Vandalia and Ina that "health care has always been a top priority for me, and I will take the input of these town meetings back to Washington and continue my aggressive pursuit of a better health care system for the people of this country."

He said, "We heard some compelling stories from some of the 37 million American people who are concerned with their lack of medical care. We talked with each other regarding the huge burden medical insurance is for businesses operating on a very thin profit margin.

"I think we came to understand a little better that we are all in this together," he said. "The time has come for us to unify on the issue and move toward a system that provides health care to every American."

Poshard, a two-term representative, is co-sponsor of HR 1300, the Universal Health Care Act. He is also a member of the Rural Health Care Coalition and has worked to help rural hospitals keep their doors open.

A General Accounting Office study has indicated that a universal plan could save the nation $67 billion annually, while providing every individual with access to health care.

"People need to know that our budget problems are only getting worse because of the explosion in health care costs, which the government is obligated to provide," he said. "We operate under a system right now that depends on billions of dollars annually from government, businesses and individuals. And, one way or another, insured customers pay for the care given to uninsured individuals or the health care facilities absorb the costs."

Poshard said, "What I am driving at is we have a system that costs hundreds of billions a year but could work much better. I believe if we redirected some of our efforts we could do much better for all our citizens."

Poshard noted that Congress is considering 33 different national health care proposals.

"They can be grouped into three categories," he said.

One category would extend Medicare benefits to everyone. The federal health insurance program currently covers elderly and disabled persons. Under the new plan, the deductible would be $250 for individuals and $400 for a family. The plan would not cover eyeglasses, prescription drugs or long-term care.

Another category would require all employers to provide health coverage for employees and their dependents. Employers who chose not to offer private plans would contribute 9 percent of their payrolls to a public health insurance program. This plan is favored by the American Medical Association, but is strongly opposed by small businesses, which claim the proposal would result in massive layoffs.

The third plan is a universal health care system in which out-of-pocket costs to individuals would be eliminated. Comprehensive benefits would include prescription drugs, and long-term care without deductibles or co-insurance.

Physician payments would be based on a national fee schedule and hospital payments would be based on annual budgets.

Poshard favors a variation of this plan, which would be financed with a tax on individuals and corporations. Even though taxes would be increased, such costs as insurance premiums, co-payments and deductibles would be eliminated.

Poshard said most low- and middle-income families would not be effected by the tax increase, which grows in proportion to income.

For example, he says, a family of four with an income of $39,000 would experience no tax increase, while a similar family with an income of $81,000 would see a $460 increase in taxes.

Bruce, D-Olney, who also conducted health hearings this week at Carmi and in the Mattoon-Charleston area, has reissued his call for health care for all Americans.

"We need to move in the direction of a guaranteed national health plan," said Bruce. "Despite its substantial shortcomings, America's health system now serves 80 percent of the population with the best technological and pharmaceutical innovations available. Our challenge is to reduce everyone's costs and to ensure that the other 20 percent have access to health care as well."

Bruce, who is a member of the House health subcommittee, says he will be directly involved in drafting any final legislation to reform the way America delivers health care.

"Any final plan must guarantee that medically under-served rural and urban areas not be discriminated against at the expense of those suburban areas with an abundance of medical personnel," he said.

He added that national health systems in other countries have their strengths and weaknesses. "A system that I envision will draw on the best of each of those plans, tailored to meet the needs of the various, distinctive regions of the U.S."