December 2008 – Page 2 – Healthcare-NOW

Single-payer health system could save billions

Because of the current financial crisis, many observers see no point in discussing an expansion of health care coverage this year — either federal or state. Indeed, it is true that the current crisis is adding greatly to our public debt. And it is true that total health costs in the United States are already…

Single-Payer Talking Points & Why Mandate Plans Won’t Work

The New York City Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program has put together some “talking points” for making the single payer “expanded and improved Medicare for All” argument. 1. Americans are afraid that they can’t afford to get sick. Those of us with insurance are paying more and more of the premium and…

Healthcare petition urges: Everybody In, Nobody Out

For more than five years, medical students from the University of Kansas Medical Center have put in long hours serving uninsured patients at their Jay Doc Free Clinic. Last year, a number of students and physicians involved in such efforts started a new group, Heartland Healthcare for All. Their aim is to push universal health…

Everyone Wants Healthcare Reform

Written by Timothy Fisher I spent much of Election Day at the polls helping collect signatures to support a single-payer health care initiative. Given the great turnout for this year’s election, this was an excellent way to get a sense of who really lives in one’s town. In this increasingly polarized world, it’s probably the…

Local man spearheads statewide healthcare movement

ROCKLAND (Dec 8): Jerry Call is a man with a mission. Call, who lives in Rockland and is one of the five founders of Midcoast Healthcare Reform, first learned about single-payer health care about a year ago when Dennis Kucinich was running in the Democratic presidential primaries and mentioned House Resolution 676 during the debates.…

When a Job Disappears, So Does the Health Care

ASHLAND, Ohio — As jobless numbers reach levels not seen in 25 years, another crisis is unfolding for millions of people who lost their health insurance along with their jobs, joining the ranks of the uninsured. The crisis is on display here. Starla D. Darling, 27, was pregnant when she learned that her insurance coverage…

Coverage mandate will fail as a healthcare reform plan

By Rose Ann DeMoro It’s time for Congress to stop getting carried away with financial bailouts for big industries, especially when it comes to some of the most-profitable and least-responsible companies: the health-insurance giants. Two major trade lobbies, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Association, have announced that they would be willing…

Host a healthcare community discussion

The Obama-Biden Transition Team Needs Our Help! Healthcare is a top priority for President-elect Obama, and he wants your help in reforming the system to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. That’s why this holiday season, they’re asking you to give them the gift of your ideas and input. www.Change.gov will provide all…

Report Back From the National League of Cities Conference

Alison Landes, NLC Project Director, has sent us the following report about the resilient efforts in seeking an endorsement for HR 676 from National League of Cities. The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal…

Oregon Labor Council and AFSCME Local Endorse HR 676

In Oregon, AFSCME Local 3214 and the Central Oregon Labor Council have both endorsed HR 676, single-payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The Central Oregon Labor Council is the 118th council to endorse HR 676. AFSCME Local 3214 in Eugene, Oregon, represents Albertina Kerr Center employees of Lane County. In Bend, Oregon,…