"I've been reading a lot about AARP's campaign called Divided We Fail, which is supposed to help establish health and financial security in America That's a rather ambitious undertaking, to say the least How does AARP plan on accomplishing it?

A. One step at a time and with a lot of help from our members, friends, and other organizations - that's how we plan to accomplish it. I have a favorite saying from T .S. Eliot: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." And that's exactly what we plan to do - go as far as we can. We know we can't do it alone. That's why we're reaching out to every segment of American society and business, asking them to join us in seeing just how far we really can go in putting the United States on track toward health and financial security.

Our motivation: This nation is in trouble. If someone doesn't start the ball rolling, and soon, the United States may end up experiencing problems the likes of which we haven't seen since the Great Depression. One of the root causes of these problems: our health care system. It's very sick. Forty-six million Americans have no health insurance at all. One serious illness or injury could pushthem into financial ruin. Many of those who do have insurance are either underinsured or in danger of losing it. All it takes is losing a job, not being able to afford the premiums, or being denied a plan because of a preexisting condition or being too old.

Especially vulnerable are people between ages 50 and 64. If those in this group try to get new health insurance or lose the coverage they already have, they're going to find it very difficult to replace. And these are the years when some of the more common chronic diseases and conditions that come with age start cropping up, the time when having health insurance is most critical.

I am passionate about health care. As I mentioned in an earlier column, I've been interested in this subject since I was a youngster and heard Harry Truman talk about a health program during his campaign for president. I remember when my sister, Verna, had to debate the merits of universal health care in high school. That was in 1946. So it's not a new idea. But it's one whose time has come.

What our country needs now is some type of health care system that provides affordable, quality care to all Americans. Several states, including California, Massachusetts, and Vermont, are alreadyworkingon their own plans for their residents. It's time our nation's leaders do the same.

Erik D. Olsen, President. For more information about Divided We Fail, visit http://www.dividedwefail.org .

Have a question about AARP? Send it to AskErik, 601 East St NW, Washington, DC 20049, or send an email to AskErik@aarp.org

AARP is using the incredibIe power of our 38 millon members to focus national attention on concerns about health and financial security. Go to http://www.dividedwefail.org to join with us and to share your stories, opinions, and ideas. Our collective voices can make a difference.