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Gail L. Chatfield, D-St. Louis, is a state representative from District 69.

For the past six years, I have struggled in the Missouri General Assembly to gain accessible and affordable health care for all Missourians. Throughout that period, I have always been able to tell myself that some day state government will realize what a terrible problem we have with health care services in Missouri.

Yet never in that period of time have I been more ashamed, regretful, or outraged over our health care delivery system in this state and this nation than I have become during the past two days.

Last Friday, I received a phone call from a friend in the Division of Family Services (DFS) asking me if I would consider introducing legislation this session that would allow life-threatening surgery to take place, even if the paper work necessary to qualify for Medicaid had not been completed.

The reason for this request was a case involving the need for a fellow Missourian to have a tumor removed from his brain. Unless this patient can qualify for Medicaid, he will not be recommended for surgery.

As I spoke with the gentleman from DFS, I could not help but recall recent articles about how one must wait for procedures in Canada and how we won't allow that to happen here in America. Try telling that to the Missourian that DFS is trying to help.

Then, on Saturday, a friend from the Mayor's office contacted me seeking assistance for a lady in her forties who has had breast surgery. This patient has insurance.

So she is one of those fortunate ones with insurance and no problems, right? Wrong.

Although she has been covered for the chemo and radiation treatment she has been receiving, her doctor now states her only chance for survival is to receive a bone marrow transplant.

Guess what? The insurance will not cover this procedure because they feel it is "experimental."

Of course, the hospital says it would gladly perform the procedure; that is, if the patient can pay $40,000 up front.

By contacting several hospital industry officials, I am hopeful that we can find solutions for these two cases. But these are only two of similar health care dilemmas which happen every day in our city, our state, and our nation.

We are constantly hearing that we cannot let our efforts on behalf of education slide, if we are to be competitive as a country. I agree.

We are told we cannot let the drug problem continue to ravage America. I agree.

We are sent the message to take back our streets and stop crime in our cities. I agree.

We know we have to find a way out of this recession. I agree.

We have to create more jobs. I agree.

But with each of these situations, we have at least attempted to find answers.

How long must we wait before we answer the call for help from those who are not receiving proper delivery of health care services?

How long must we wait to assure every person rich or poor, working or unemployed, young or old, with or without a pre-existing condition an opportunity for a healthy life?

For several years, I have been working to pass the Universal Health Care plan in Missouri. Yet those opposed to such a plan have told me continually how wonderful American medical technology is in comparison and how Americans won't buy into the waiting lines or rationing that takes place in Canada.

Well, in reply, I would ask each of you who has read this letter whether you feel that you can be certain that you and your loved ones will even have health coverage five years from now.

I would also ask if you believe the two Missourians to which I have referred in this letter are happy with our current system.

I feel certain I could prepare a list of hundreds of names of people who have already encountered similar problems such as the two examples I have mentioned here.

We pride our state on the slogan "Wake Up To Missouri." But I am telling you that it is time for all of us to wake up to a change in Missouri's health care system. ~How long will it take us to learn? Or worse yet, will we every learn?

There are many of us in the Missouri General Assembly who are willing to tackle this issue and confront those in power who oppose health care reform. But change will only come when the legislature gets the message loud and clear.

The time has come for change. I will be trying again this year. With your help, we can see that change begin.