The man had not seen a doctor in 32 years because of lack of health insurance.

He died during his third visit to the hospital.

The complications stated as the cause of death may have been prevented with primary health care.

A 28-year-old uninsured woman who had pelvic pain was discharged from an emergency room because her pain had been stabilized.

She was later found to have endometrial cancer that required hysterectomy and left her unable to bear children, an incident that may have been prevented with regular primary care.

These individuals are just two of the thousands of patients that visit UMMA Community Clinic, an institution located in Los Angeles that provides health care services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

As the nation preps for the 2008 election, experts say health care is poised to be one of the top domestic issues.

In 2005, 44.8 million people, or 15.3 percent of the population, were living without health insurance, according the U.S. Census Bureau.

"It’s a startling statistic," said UMMA CEO and President Yasser Aman, who recently addressed a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., discussing the state of the nation’s health care and its future.

"A lot of people think being uninsured is a poor person’s problem, but 14 percent of those uninsured are people from middle-income families, and 17 percent are working full time," he said, citing statistics from the Census Bureau.

UMMA was invited to the hearing to speak about its experience providing services to uninsured individuals, Aman said.

"UMMA prides itself as being an organization that is a medical home for its patients," he said. "We are a regular source of care for over 6,000 people who have no insurance."

In 2003, Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D, MI-14), who chaired the April 24, 2007, hearing, introduced H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act.

The act states it "would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents and all residents living in U.S. territories."

The program would cover all necessary medical services, Conyers said, adding it would be financed "by existing health care revenue streams; a modest, progressive payroll tax; rollbacks of the Bush tax cuts and a special health tax on the richest 5 percent of Americans."

Conyers said he found the hearing to be a success. "As a result, many more members of Congress are now convinced that a single payer system … is the only realistic way to provide quality and affordable health care to all Americans and contain skyrocketing health care costs."

Under his plan, Americans would receive a national health insurance card with which they could visit any physician, clinic or hospital of their choice.

"Care would continue to be delivered privately," he said. "The role of the government would be limited to the financing of care."

President Bush’s plan calls for a standard tax deduction for health insurance in an effort to make it more affordable, as well as providing federal funding to states that offer residents basic affordable health insurance.

Meanwhile, Democrats made recent gains in negotiating a bill with the White House that includes more than $600 million in aid to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and almost $2 billion for medical care for veterans, according to The Associated Press.

The bill, which initially requested a timetable for ending the war in Iraq, was scheduled to be sent to Bush on May 25 after revisions were made according to negotiations.

UMMA is in support of any health care reform because of what organization members see while working to provide medical care to the uninsured, Aman said.

"There are 18,000 dying every year because they have a lack of regular source of care," he said, adding that the diseases they incurred were not addressed early enough to allow proper treatment.

"Some argue the U.S. has the best health care system in the world, but the citizens of this country don’t even have access to the best health care system in the world," he said.

While the issue affects Americans nationwide, Aman said American Muslims have a religious and moral obligation to care for their health.

"A healthy community can produce a healthy environment," he said. "Health care is a right and not a privilege. Everybody should have a chance to live a healthy life so they can serve Allah and fulfill their obligations to their community."

Health centers embedded in high areas of need help the overall health care system by preventing emergency room visits or hospitalization of individuals who have never seen a doctor during their adult lives, Aman said.

"The government should learn from community clinics that there are practical solutions and partnership opportunities," he said, adding that UMMA has partnerships with both the city and county of Los Angeles.

At the state level, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan focuses on expanding the role of technology in health care to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety.

His plan states that his vision is to have "an accessible, efficient, and affordable health care system that promotes a healthier California through prevention and wellness and universality coverage."

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Democrat, has proposed a plan that would create the California Cooperative Health Insurance Purchasing Program as of Jan. 1, 2009.

Employers would be required to either provide for employee health care coverage through the program or pay a yet to be specified amount to assist in covering employees’ health care costs.

Senate Republicans have proposed the Cal Care plan, which would present incentives to employers who offer employees health care coverage.

Democratic Sen. Sheila Kuehl’s plan calls for the formation of the California Universal Healthcare System, which would attempt to control rising health care costs and provide affordable health care coverage for all residents.

Democratic Senate President pro Tem Don Perata’s plan would expand health care coverage to more than two-thirds of individuals currently uninsured.

"The plan levels the playing field for businesses by setting a minimum standard for employers’ contributions for health care," Perata said in a statement.

While different proposals are being floated around, the plan is for all involved parties to come together and put one proposal on the governor’s desk, said Alicia Trost, Perata’s press secretary.

"The governor has said this is the year health care reform is going to happen, and it’s his No. 1 priority," she said.

Aman said while UMMA does not submit policy recommendations on how to solve the health care crisis, it does support the dialogue.

"The issue comes down to our elected representatives and the system that we pay our taxes to being accountable to the needs of the population," he said. "There is currently a real disconnect between the growing needs of the population domestically and what the priorities are of our government."

Aman said he feels it is incumbent upon Muslims in America to take interest in the issue. "We have something to offer in terms of a deep moral system that values a system that actually ensures people’s equity in terms of health care, economic justice, and the well-being of the family and society."