While I am not a Republican, I have voted for Sen. Olympia Snowe because I trust her judgment as a policymaker to truly represent women of color. Snowe has proven herself worthy of my vote once again. Recently, she broke ranks with her party to vote for the Senate Finance Committee’s health reform bill.

The people of Maine need health care reform. The number of uninsured people in Maine has increased from 129,000 in 2001 to 137,000 in 2008. For those who do have insurance, they have seen the cost steadily rise. Premiums for Maine residents have increased 105 percent since 2000. Policymakers can talk about pre-existing conditions and reimbursement rates, but the rest of us just want to be able to go to the doctor and get the care we need without breaking the bank.

Far too often, those without health insurance can be found among Maine’s increasing minority population. As a growing demographic, women of color are still grossly un-and under-insured. While 61 percent of all Americans report having employer-sponsored health insurance, that number is substantially lower for women of color. Only 41 percent of Latinos and 52 percent of African-Americans report having employer sponsored health care. Nearly four out of every 10 Latinas and one in four African-American and Asian women are uninsured.

Under intense pressure, Snowe stood strong to do the right thing for the people of Maine. Sen. Susan Collins needs to follow her humanitarian lead. Pass health care reform now.

Dr. Luzma Umpierre, Lewiston