If decent, affordable housing were viewed more as a constitutional right and a public health issue, by devising ways and means of providing it, we could go a long way toward reducing health care costs in the public and private sectors in Maine and the nation.

Constitutionally, we are ac-corded the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but how can you have life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness if you don’t have a decent place to live?

And how can you be healthy if you don’t have comfort, security, privacy, peace and quiet, sound nutrition – among the essentials for good health – if you don’t have decent, affordable housing?

I realize this is one of many daunting challenges that confront us as a state and nation, but surely, ass Americans, with good will and consolidated effort, we can solve this and any other problem coming down the pike.

Sen. Edward Kennedy’s book, “America Back on Track,” harkens to the opening sentence in the Constitution: “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union,” and so forth.

That’s the only guide we need, and with it, we cannot fail.

Paul Corrao, M.D.

Auburn