The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a new report that shows an increasing number of Americans go without health coverage. According to the latest report, nearly 44 million Americans are without health coverage having risen by 1.5 million people between 2001 and 2002. As you read varying news accounts of this new report, it is important to keep in context the state of the economy: unemployment has remained high and job growth has been stagnant.

American workers for decades have enjoyed high quality benefits, at little to no cost them. A majority of Americans have their health coverage through their employer. But health care costs, for a variety of reasons, have increased sharply throughout the last decade and the early part of this decade forcing businesses to either cut or roll-back health benefits leaving much of the financial burden of coverage on their employees.

When Americans lose their jobs, they often lose the health care that comes along with that job. And even if they remain employed, the rising cost of health care has undercut the guarantee of employer provided health insurance.

But it is crucial to remember two solutions are on the horizon. One is the short-term resolution. As the economy improves, as it has over the last several months, more jobs will be created. With more jobs, more Americans will have access to employer benefits. The second solution is one of long-range thinking. Even with the benefits of the economic upturn we, in Congress, are working to ensure that we are never faced with the predicament of such a large uninsured population again.

Some will say that with this new report on the uninsured policy makers must take bold steps to address the situation. Candidates for elected office from the courthouse to the White House will include “covering the uninsured” as part of their campaigns—and they should. Office holders and office seekers alike will reference the numbers that I have in this column, lamenting the loss to American families—and they should. Creating a broad public dialogue on this important issue will serve to raise its profile and seek out solutions.

But I offer these words of wisdom: don’t be seduced by their “chicken in every pot; car in every garage” promises unless they address the root causes of this problem. Fundamental reform of the U.S. health care system is the only way we can dramatically cut the number of people without insurance. If their solution does not address holding down costs and increasing access without reducing the high level of quality care in this country, thank them nicely, and send them on their way.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has already made important progress this year toward achieving fundamental reform. We have approved a bill that will make it easier for small businesses, major employers in Texas, to lower the cost of health insurance for their employees by allowing them to band together to purchase health coverage. Because of their size, small businesses are at an automatic disadvantage when it comes to providing health benefits to their employees. Because their pool of employees are so small the resulting health insurance premiums are very high if not outright cost prohibitive for small businesses to pay. By being able to band together in what are called Association Health Plans, the pooling of several businesses’ employees, small businesses will have a better negotiating position with health plans when it comes to the cost of coverage and the benefits they can provide.

The House has also approved legislation that will make it easier for Americans to put money, tax-free, in investment-type accounts dedicated to their health expenses. These Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) give individuals the ability to save for future medical expenses and give them maximum portability. So if a worker changes or loses their job they can take the money that they have saved in the account with them to use for any health needs that may arise. Under the House-passed bill, businesses may opt to contribute to these accounts as well. If the management of a traditional health plan is too burdensome from an administrative standpoint businesses could contribute to an employee’s Health Savings Account again, tax-free. With Americans changing jobs more and more often, this flexible and portable account will address the health needs of millions of Americans.

Finally, fundamental tax reform is essential. Fundamental tax reform allows Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money so they can contribute to their health care costs. A bipartisan bill currently moving through the House would allow millions of low-income Americans to claim a tax credit that they could use purchase health insurance. Mark V. Pauly, Chairman of Health Care Systems Department at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, estimates that such a proposal could reduce the number of Americans without health coverage by 50 to 80 percent.

The number of Americans without health insurance in this country is deplorable but policymakers are already working towards root-problem reforms that would preserve the high level of quality health care that is a characteristic of the U.S. health care system. These solutions will not only increase access to health care coverage but also hold down associated costs.