After watching President Barack Obama’s speech on Sept. 9, I was convinced more than ever that health insurance reform can become a reality. And it can happen this year.

America’s health care system is clearly broken and unless it is fixed, premiums will continue to rise, more families will be pushed into bankruptcy, more businesses will be forced to cut jobs and more Americans will lose their health insurance every day.

Today, the health insurance industry has a stranglehold on the nation’s health-care system. In order to drive down the costs for families, the big insurance companies must be forced to compete for the public’s health-care dollars. The best way to do that is to create a strong public plan that gives people choices.

The president continues to reach out to Republicans and listen to their concerns, but all they continue to say is “no.” There have been enough delays and enough political posturing, it’s time to vote. People of the nation cannot afford to wait any longer.

April Dooley, Auburn