Providing good quality, affordable health insurance to all Americans has been called one of the biggest humanitarian causes of our generation. But now, as economic woes related to medical debt continue to grow, it's also looking like a sound investment in our nationwide financial success.

Reuters reported this week that while Americans without an affordable health insurance policy will pay about $30 billion for health care in 2008, they will also receive about $56 billion in free care.

That $56 billion will be covered by government programs, private philanthropy, and more. But, there's still a large chunk of money that accrues in medical debt, leaving doctors, hospitals, and those who are insured to foot the bill.

In light of this information, offering an affordable health insurance plan to those who are currently uninsured is, according to the article, a "good investment" for society.

And of course, that good investment would have even longer reaching benefits, including boosting workplace productivity, minimizing emergency room visits, and impacting the growing problems of many "preventable" diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke and some cancers.