Hightower Lowdown

Sergio Olaya is a 21-year-old college student who has had to drop out of school because of our country's messed-up health-insurance system.

Actually, Olaya has health coverage, for he's a government employee. But his mother wasn't covered when she was suddenly diagnosed with an aggressive cancer this year. She died, and her son is now grappling with $255,000 in medical bills for her treatment. The hospital has sicced its collection agency on him, so he had to quit college and is now selling the house where he and his mother lived.

Ironically, Mr. Olaya's job is in the U.S. Senate, where he runs an elevator. Our honorable senators share a ride with him every day, but they share none of the health-care anxieties and financial burden that millions of Americans like Olaya carry. Members of Congress, you see, are fully covered by us taxpayers.

Well, gosh, we don't want any special coverage --we'll be happy with what Congress gives itself.

Not all senators are boneheads about this. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio deserves special praise for refusing to accept the congressional coverage for himself, saying he won't take it until every American is covered.

Presidential contender John Edwards has made a strong, universal healthcare plan a centerpiece of his campaign. Edwards intends not only to push his plan in Congress but also to strip lawmakers of their coverage if they fail to provide for everyone else.

Edwards' proposal for universal coverage also includes a single-payer alternative to compete with profiteering insurance corporations. See it all at www.johnedwards. com/issues/health-care/.