CLEMSON — The debate rages on and our population is torn on the best way to reform our health care.

The good news, however, is that most Americans will agree on one thing.

“I think it’s pretty clear that having one government-run health care program for everyone isn’t what people want to see,” said Windsor Sherrill, associate professor of public health at Clemson University. “But, there is no doubt that the system needs to be improved.”

Progress, however, has slowed, as most community members are unsure of exactly what this reform could mean for them.

“I think it’s better to slow this thing down instead of rushing to a change,” she added. “People want to see more control of cost, while providers would like to see better structured payment systems. The complexity of the current payment system is unyielding and burdensome.”

But as Democrats continue to push the issue keeping it high on the docket, Sherrill points to why.

“If everyone had jobs and coverage, we wouldn’t be here talking about this,” she said. “But since unemployment is still high, the issue is more important than ever.”

In the United States, a staggering 47 million Americans are living without health insurance. The proposed health care reform stands behind security of coverage, regardless of a job loss.

Affordable coverage for every American is key, she said.

At the core of this cost-lowering goal, officials are hopeful that it will drive the insurance market into a realm of stronger competition, lowering their costs across the board.

“What’s different here is that the government is encouraging us to stay with our providers and employment-based plans,” she added. “It’s just a matter of how they will change by the end of this all.”

In addition, seniors who deal with high prescription drug costs each year, running from $2,700 to $6,100, won’t have to worry about it not being covered under Medicare.

But many say that if some sort of reform does not pass in Congress, the current system is set to double health costs in the next 10 years, according to a statement from the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

“If administrators and providers didn’t have to spend so much time dealing with third party payers and various insurance products, they could spend more time on the quality of care,” she added. “That is the most important thing to strive for.”