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It's a tough job, as they say, but somebody's got to do it. It might as well be the New Mexico Legislature and Gov. Bill Richardson.

Sure, it would have been great if the federal government had gotten its act together over the last two decades and offered some comprehensive national solution to the raging health care crisis.

But it didn't. Neither the Clinton administration (which tried), nor the Bush administration (which didn't), have had any effect on a health care system that has become increasingly costly, out of reach and burdened by delays and other limitations.

And it's unclear when, or if, the federal government will do anything.

Despite numerous challenges and questions — including a federal law that makes state solutions very difficult (see Tribune writer Carrie Seidman's illuminating report of Jan. 22, "Guv's health initiative could face legal woes") — New Mexico must try.

For one, the need in New Mexico is great, where thousands are without adequate health care. The problem is growing, as employers are forced to increase employee health insurance premiums and in some cases stop offering coverage altogether, because it has become too expensive. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, and the effects and pressures are being felt across the health care system and the economy. A systemic solution is needed.

These are among the reasons why some New Mexico businesses are likely to support a state solution now and why the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce already has endorsed Richardson's proposed plan.

Legislators should vigorously proceed during the current 30-day session to enact and implement Richardson's proposal, which appears to be the best of several floating around the Roundhouse.

The chamber called it "the best-structured legislation of those proposed," and state officials developed it specifically to survive a legal challenge under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The act regulates private-employer benefits plans and has been used to get courts to overturn other state health coverage plans.

While there are some signs that a national strategy could emerge during the next administration, it remains very uncertain. While all Democratic presidential candidates support some form of universal health care, even a Democratic sweep of the Oval Office, the House and the Senate won't guarantee one.

The last time there was a serious effort to develop some form of national universal health care, during the Clinton administration when Sen. Hillary Clinton, a New York Democrat, was the first lady and not a presidential candidate, the health insurance industry lobby squashed it.

A lot has changed in the last 15 years — witness the relative agreement among Democratic presidential candidates on the issue. Still, the battle has hardly seen a skirmish, and it could easily escalate into a long, drawn-out war.

One advantage to New Mexico and other states that adopt their own solutions is that it could put pressure on the federal government — from health care providers, if not the health insurance industry — to implement a single, countrywide system, rather than numerous and convoluted individual state plans.

In this regard, New Mexico, led by Richardson, could play a valuable national role.

But the most important reason to act now is to bring health care access, security and affordability to all New Mexicans. It should be done. Ultimately, it will make the entire state healthier.