He lived for fifty years in the United States without the ability to speak. Born with a condition known as cleft palate–a birth defect that, in most cases, is easily correctable–James Lowe was without a voice until well into his adult life. A retired coal miner from West Virginia, Lowe had no health insurance. His condition was not addressed until a doctor from a free health clinic came to his home and fixed it.

This is the story that presidential candidate John Edwards tells as he travels throughout the state of Iowa to rally support in the final weeks before the caucuses. For Mr. Edwards, Lowe’s plight is symbolic of all Americans who cannot afford health care–and an inspiration for his new TV ad titled “Voice,” calling for a universal health care plan, which he says has been opposed by entrenched special interest groups. The belief that health care is every individual’s right–not a privilege–has become a cause that the former senator pledges to fight for in his run for the White House.

“He had no voice for 50 years, because with no health care, he couldn’t get a simple operation,” Edwards says in the ad.

“Fifty years without a voice — in America. This is wrong. It is immoral. When are we going to stop letting drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists run this country?”