Of course, this study doesn't come as a surprise to any of the dirty hippies (myself included) who have been pointing out for what almost seems like an eternity that thousands of Americans die every year because they can't afford health insurance, a number which will certainly increased if, say, Congress fails to pass meaningful healthcare reform.
Actual people dying doesn't seem to bother Republicans, so it's up to the Democrats to use their majorities in the House and Senate to pass healthcare reform and save American lives without the GOP. After today's summit, in which Republicans said to President Obama's face the same thing they've been saying to the American people for almost a year (that is, No!), it looks like Democrats are finally ready to do just that. A strong majority in the House and the availability of reconciliation in the Senate (a parliamentary maneuver which Republicans used when they were in the majority) mean that the only thing standing in the way of passing reform is the Democrats.
The Democratic Party has a real opportunity here not only to reform our healthcare system but to save lives as well. If the fail here, they will have no one but themselves to blame---and neither will the American people.
(cross-posted here)