Our nation faces an ever escalating health care crisis that, despite all the debate and consternation, remains fundamentally unaddressed. While we deliberate and posture, the ranks of the uninsured and the under-insured grow daily. What was once a problem of the “poor” is now a problem for the self-employed, the small business owner and even the hospital employee.

Clearly, the system is failing us when what is recognized by most of us to be a fundamental human right – access to affordable and available health care – eludes so many. Virtually all industrialized nations have chosen to assure coverage for all their citizens by establishing one form or another of universal coverage. Universal health insurance does not appear to be anywhere on the immediate horizon in America. Fortunately, many of the inequalities of our present system can be addressed by working with the system as it exists today and creatively utilizing all resources available to better address the needs of the people.

This is precisely what Gov. Baldacci’s initiative, the Dirigo Health Care Reform Plan, sets out to do. It is a bold attempt to control cost, reward and encourage healthy behaviors and, most importantly, address the problem of the uninsured and under-insured. The governor’s recently released state-private industry sponsored health plan, Dirigo Choice, will provide quality health coverage at a more affordable price. While the basic offering of the plan is comparable to many other health insurance products, more than 80 percent of those without insurance will qualify for a sliding-scale subsidy. This discount will offer up to a 60 percent reduction of out-of-pocket costs for a family of three making up to $47,010. This makes quality health care available for the first time to the 130,000 Mainers who go without health insurance.

The plan’s full coverage of periodic physicals and other prevention-oriented procedures does what Dr. Robert MacAfee calls “put the emphasis in the right place.” Dirigo Choice will make health insurance coverage available to the self-insured at rates comparable to that of moderately sized businesses. Up until now, no options existed for the self-insured, other than exceptionally high-deductible plans. The problem with high-deductible plans is that they are often just like being uninsured. More than 90 percent of those who use these plans never reach their deductible and so have to pay out of pocket for basic health care, such as physical examinations and maintenance medications. This results in those people behaving just like the uninsured population, leaving important preventive care behind. This creates avoidable costs and a less healthy state.

Dirigo Choice is not without its limitations. Yet, despite these limitations, it is the best chance at leveling the playing field and placing the emphasis where it belongs – not on profits, but on the needs of the individual.

On behalf of the Diocese of Portland, I am chairing Dirigo Health Now!, www.dirigonow.org. Dirigo Health Now! is a statewide alliance of individuals, businesses and organizations committed to leading Maine and to embracing the mission of Dirigo Health. Dirigo Health Now has joined together to support the vision of Gov. John Baldacci to make quality health care affordable and accessible. As part of our effort, we work with community organizations, interested individuals, businesses and other entities to help people better understand the vision of Dirigo Health care. We hope to make Dirigo Health’s promise of universal access to health care coverage a reality for all Maine people.

Marc. R. Mutty is the director of the office of public affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.