In 2013, my wife’s cousin fell on hard times and came to live with us until she could get back on her feet. We found her one day, lying gray-faced on our kitchen floor, suffering a heart attack. When she was well enough to come back from the hospital, she got the ambulance bill. It was thousands of dollars. She was uninsured.

Myself, I work three jobs, six days a week — sometimes seven — but the only health plan I can afford has a $5,000 deductible. I could get better coverage, but then I couldn’t afford a car to go to work to pay for it — health insurance in name, but not in fact.

Across Maine and the nation, too many people are one catastrophic illness away from falling deep into debt; one accident away from losing a home.

That situation can get better. Fifty-eight nations enjoy some form of universal health care — everybody in, nobody out. Nobody goes bankrupt due to illness or injury, nobody loses their home. If those nations can do it, why can’t the U.S.?

But, while the nation’s politicians blather and bicker, the people of Maine have a chance to take a step in the right direction. This Nov. 7, a “yes” vote on citizen’s referendum Question 2 will give 70,000 Mainers access to affordable health care and will help struggling rural clinics and hospitals keep their doors open.

If the people lead, the politicians will follow.

I am voting “yes” on Question 2.

Steve Turner, Mechanic Falls