Next week, organizations from across the political spectrum will come together as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, an unprecedented national effort to highlight the plight of the uninsured and to attempt to restart the much-needed national debate on how best to expand medical coverage. The country has not had a serious debate about expanding coverage in almost a decade even though the number of uninsured has continued to grow. According to the most recent census numbers, more than 41 million Americans lack insurance -- 1 in 7 -- including 8 million children. In Pennsylvania, more than 1.2 million Pennsylvanians are uninsured, including 250,000 children.

Cover the Uninsured Week is sponsored nationally by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and includes some of the leading organizations in the country as partners, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Medical Association, AFL-CIO, The Business Roundtable and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Philadelphia-area partners include Citizens for Consumer Justice, Independence Blue Cross, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Central Labor Council, SEIU, the Delaware Valley Hospitals and Healthcare Commission and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, among others.

Events are being held in more than 100 other communities around the country as part of the week. In Philadelphia, CTUW events include a town hall meeting kickoff at City Hall on Monday; lectures at college and university campuses across the city on Tuesday; health fairs at Temple, the Gateway Service Center and City Hall's Dilworth Plaza on Wednesday; a press conference featuring business and labor leaders on Thursday; and an interfaith breakfast with religious leaders on Friday.

What makes Cover the Uninsured Week unique is not just the diverse coalitions supporting it at both the national and local levels -- although that is true -- but rather what CTUW and its partners are trying to do. Together, they are saying that the current situation is unacceptable and that our leaders need to work together to find a solution.

For too long the debate about expanding health care coverage has been frozen. The result has been inaction and a growing number of uninsured. The goal of Cover the Uninsured Week is to break that logjam and spur a debate. Essentially, a solution can be found only if there is a debate and right now there is none. Cover the Uninsured Week and its partners intend to change that.

Part of stimulating a debate is to make sure that everyone knows just how important this issue is. Therefore, a chief goal of Cover the Uninsured Week is to dispel some of the misconceptions about the uninsured.

Perhaps the most important myth that needs to be dispelled is that the uninsured are also unemployed. In fact, eight out of every 10 uninsured people work, but are either unable to obtain insurance through their employer or afford it on their own. The uninsured are members of every race and community.

A second myth is that there are no real consequences to the health of people who are uninsured, particularly young people. However, the evidence is clear: Studies repeatedly show that a person who lacks health insurance for an extended period of time is less likely to receive health services, particularly preventive services and treatment for chronic health conditions. The problems of children who lack early care are even more acute.

The final myth -- and perhaps the most dangerous -- is that if you already have insurance, the lack of it is "someone else's problem." The lack of insurance has a deep impact on the vitality of our community as a whole, from the social impact of watching people struggle with poor health and staggering medical bills to the economic impact it has on hospitals and businesses. The Philadelphia region is home to more than 120 hospitals and they are a driving force in our economy. However, they spend tens of millions of dollars treating the uninsured, funds that could expand and improve care otherwise. And the costs of the uninsured are passed on to ratepayers and businesses. Big businesses spend hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to cover their employees and small businesses simply can't afford the high rates. All these costs eventually get passed on to consumers.

How can you get involved? The first step is to let our leaders know how important this issue is. You can sign a national petition at Cover the Uninsured Week's website (www.covertheuninsured.org).

Then, if you know anyone who's uninsured, direct them toward organizations that can help provide low-cost and sometimes even free coverage. In Philadelphia, some numbers to call include 1-800-986-KIDS, 1-800-986-BABY and 1-800-GO-BASIC.

Lauren Townsend is executive director of Citizens for Consumer Justice. If you would like to respond to this Slant or have one of your own (850 words), contact Howard Altman, City Paper executive editor, 123 Chestnut St., third floor, Phila., PA 19106 or e-mail altman@citypaper.net.