They say all politics is local, and for proof of that one need look no further than the current debate over health care. With every seat in the House up for re-election and a number of key Democrat Senators deeply concerned about their re-elections, it is no wonder that the President’s deadlines have not been met.

When the House passed its version of the health care legislation in early November, things looked up for under and uninsured Americans.

But the Senate’s Christmas Eve version of health care overhaul looked more Grinch than Santa Claus.

And, thus, one of the great secrets of our democracy was exposed: Two bills from two chambers on the same topic. And only one bill can go to the President for his signature. That is, the two bills must be reconciled into one final bill, and that bill must be passed by both chambers of Congress and sent to the President.

Because Senate Democrats need all 58 of their votes, as well as the two independents who caucus with them, to sustain a filibuster-proof passage of a bill, Democrats on the House side immediately came forward announcing that the final bill to go to the President will likely resemble the Senate’s version.

What looked like a clear victory for GLBT Americans under the House’s version quickly came to a screeching halt on the Senate floor.

The House version includes an expansion of federal assistance to low-income people living with HIV. The Senate version does not.

The House version eliminates a tax penalty levied on employees who utilize same-sex health coverage for their spouse. The Senate version does not.

The House version mandates that health care disparities specific to sexual orientation and gender identity be addressed. The Senate version does not.

The House version prohibits the discrimination in the delivery of health care services based on “personal characteristics.” The Senate version does not.

Again, House Democrats have already publicly capitulated to the Senate’s version even before the reconciliation process has begun.

This simply is not acceptable. And, if you recall our last week’s editorial’s New Year’s resolutions, “Participate” was one of the Top 10. At the end of this column, you will find the phone numbers of key players in the health care bill’s progress. Your voice matters. Your neighbors’ voices matter. Your family’s voices matters. They matter because they remind these leaders that they serve at the privilege of the voters.

To accept a bill that fails to provide low-income funding, that levies higher taxes on same-sex couples, that ignores the gross disparities in health care that are specific to and discriminatory of GLBT Americans is unacceptable.

It is bad enough that studies have consistently shown that a high number of medical professionals are not sensitive to GLBT health concerns and are not trained on how to work with GLBT individuals and families.

It is bad enough that because of the fear of homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination that GLBT individuals often face, that we withhold personal information from our health care providers.

It is bad enough that GLBT couples and families are at a disadvantage in obtaining medical insurance, as many states and employers do not provide domestic partner coverage.

It is bad enough that seniors in our community in same-sex relationships are at a much higher risk of economic devastation due to an absence of Medicaid funds afforded to legalized partners.

As a result, our community is at an increased risk of certain diseases due to an inadequate risk assessment and health care screening, such as breast and cervical cancer, HIV and prostate cancer.

As a result, our community is at an increased risk of stress-related mental health problems and substance abuse because of these fears.

As a result, the financial burdens of health care on GLBT Americans can be double, triple, or more, without family coverage.

Inclusion of the very real needs that GLBT Americans have will not bring the health care system to its knees. For example, the President recently lifted the HIV travel ban, and as our New Year ushered in, and the first HIV-positive traveler arrived at JFK on Monday from The Netherlands, the nation’s health care system did not collapse.

The nation’s health care system will not collapse if it is GLBT inclusive. In fact, the old adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth of a pound of cure” may apply here. If our elected officials understood the costs of our current system on their constituents, and the system as a whole, they might just re-think which version of the bill is right for all Americans.

But it is up to us to remind them. Participate and make a call to one or all of the following legislators:

Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi:

202-225-4965

Rep. Henry Waxman:

202-225-3976

Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid:

202-224-3542

Sen. Christopher Dodd: 202-224-2823

Sen. Tom Harkin: 202-224-3254

Sen. Max Baucus: 202-224-2651