Enough is enough. 47 million now uninsured, roughly 50 million underinsured, 18,000 people dying each year without care, medical bankruptcies accounting for half of all U.S. bankruptcies and astoundingly rising 2200% since 1981! There is only one answer: a national, single-payer, healthcare system.
Completely eliminating the private insurance system, with it's incredibley wasteful 31% administrative waste, is the only way we can achieve true universal, comprehensive healthcare. Enough cheap theatrical cries for "reform". Enough progressive posturing. Enough half measures that are set up to help the insurance companies get new clients and more money. Enough of the "frontrunners'" universal insurance proposals.
We've been told that the lobbyists don't affect policies, Mrs. Clinton. We've been told that we need a change in Washington, Mr. Obama. We've been told that "we have to take them on", that these people will not negotiate, Mr. Edwards. Then why do we keep the cruel, wasteful private insuracne system intact?
One has to wonder what good reason there is not to convert to a single payer, not for-profit healthcare system. We spend 2.2 trillion dollars a year on healthcare, twice as much as any other country, and yet we do not get better care. Study after study finds us lacking here. There are 45 million+ Americans who are without any coverage and 50 million+ who are underinsured: half of all bankruptcies being related to healthcare and 3 out of every 4 of these bankruptcies had health insurance! They were underinsured, many not even knowing so until the time of need came. And yet we spend 2.2 trillion? That’s because of the 30% waste. Take 30% of the hundreds of billions spent in private insurance and put it towards healthcare and you solve the problem.
This is the system that Dennis Kucinich has proposed, the only Democratic Candidate to do so. His co-sponsored bill, HR676, has already been introduced to Congress and gained the support of over 60 Reps., various Unions and healthcare professionals. The plan extends the non-profit Medicare system to all, using only 3% for administration. The Dean study found that 95% of families would save money by switching to this system. The average family premium is currently about $3,000, under HR676 it is only around $1,900. No more co-pays, no more not denial of coverage, free choice of provider for comprehensive medical coverage; including dental, vision and psychiatric. This is not socialized medicine, only government single payer insurance. The doctors are still private.
And what about costs? The current healthcare system is clearly unable to control costs. The rise in health costs has been astronomical in the last ten years. Only a single payer system can accomplish this by cutting out the overhead, setting rates fairly and according a national budget, and by being the only healthcare insurer, having enough clout to actually control the costs of pharmaceuticals. Really, the reason that single payer makes the most sense is because it makes the most financial sense. Not only are we spending less as a country, not only are 95% of families saving money, but businesses also save by not having to pay for employees, which has taken its toll on American companies unable to compete with foreign companies who have single payer systems. GM reports that the cost of healthcare adds an extra $1,500 to the price of each car.
But, the California Nurses understand this and have gone on the offensive against Clinton, Edwards and Obama. The nurses are pushing for H.R. 676, the only legislation available for true healthcare reform:
And if you don't think the nurses have been making a difference take a look at this poll. In the last nine months Californians' support for doing away with the current healthcare system in favor of a state run, read single-payer, system has jumped from 24% to 36%! That is, it is now more widely supported than making adjustments within the current system which was favored by 33%. Public opinion is changing. And it's getting closer to Dennis Kucinich. Here's Kucinich speaking at the California Healthcare Rally, put on by Once Care California and the CA Nurses:
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