Marcia Epstein

Marcia Epstein, director of Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence

Epstein said the primary problem is that high-quality health care — including physical, dental, eye and mental care — is economically out of reach for too many Americans.

“What I would like to see reflects my idealism about the potential of our large, wealthy country. I would like all people to have access to high-quality health care,” she said.

Epstein would like that care to include nontraditional and alternative practices that have been shown effective.

Epstein doesn’t believe that increasing access to insurance is the answer.

“I do understand that our current health care delivery system relies on insurance, and that increased access to insurance is needed temporarily until more dramatic health care reform can be accomplished.”

Her biggest fear is that due to the inability to agree, Americans will continue to have inadequate access to health care.

“As a result many individuals and families will continue to suffer, and even die, needlessly,” she said.