Single-payer health care legislation introduced into Senate
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Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today (May 10) that he introduced legislation to provide health care for every American through a Medicare-for-all type single-payer system.
Representative Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) filed a companion bill in the House to provide better care for more patients at less cost by eliminating the middle-man role played by private insurance companies that rake off billions of dollars in profits.
The twin measures, both called the American Health Security Act of 2011, would provide federal guidelines and strong minimum standards for states to administer single-payer health care programs.
“The United States is the only major nation in the industrialized world that does not guarantee health care as a right to its people,” Sanders said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. “Meanwhile, we spend about twice as much per capita on health care with worse results than others that spend far less. It is time that we bring about a fundamental transformation of the American health care system. It is time for us to end private, for-profit participation in delivering basic coverage. It is time for the United States to provide a Medicare-for-all single-payer health coverage program.”
Sanders and McDermott were joined at the press conference by leaders of organizations supporting the measure, including Arlene Baker-Holt, executive vice president of the AFL-CIO; Jean Ross, co-president of the National Nurses United; and Greg Junemann, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.
While making the case for a single-payer system nationwide, Sanders applauded the Vermont Legislature which earlier this month voted to put the state on the path toward a single-payer system. Vermont, Sanders said, could become a model for the nation.
Last year’s health reform law is projected to cover 32 million more Americans. Despite that important step forward, however, 23 million people living in the United States will remain uninsured by the end of this decade while health care costs continue to skyrocket. Some 60 million Americans, both insured and uninsured, have inadequate access to primary care due to a shortage of physicians and other like providers in their community.
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Gotta love Bernie!
Meanwhile over in the house, 41 republican whiny ass cry babies, are sending letters to PO begging him to call off the meanies on the dem side for calling them doodieheads on the playground. The letter is a thing of beauty. They don’t want anyone to call them out on the vote to get rid of Medicare, not that they shouldn’t have voted that way, they just don’t want people knowing it. Fuckin idiots, using disingenous after what they did to Max Cleland and John Kerry and last years town hall meetings. I say all the time, when you are on the wrong side of Karma she is a vicious bitch.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/gop-freshmen-on-medicare-attacks-lets-let-bygones-be-bygones.php?ref=fpa
I remember well what Saxby Chamblis did to Max Cleland,a nasty business. But as you say, madame Karma is vicious.
Oh they were terrible towards Cleland, what made it twice as bad, Chambliss had gotten several student deferments during Vietnam then one for a football injury. Here is Karma, Nancy Pelosi style. This is her reply to them as of today. I should move to San Francisco just so I can vote for her. My rep is just as good but in the background, Eschoo.
This one will hurt their little bottoms.
http://www.democraticleader.gov/blog/?p=3965
Doesn’t look very wolf like to me…more badger like I’d say…
Politicians can’t help the average folk!!! That’s not what they’re elected to do!!! They’re elected to feather their own nests!!!…He should know better at his age….disgraceful…he could bring respect on a politician at this rate….
This would be fantastic, but I just don’t see the Repugs letting it happen. Smacks of socialism, you know. Can’t have any programs that might benefit the average folk.
Looks like health is coming back front and center.