Archive for March 2009
Crisis = Opportunity for Single-Payer
Fiscal crises may force Obama to save costs via a single-payer plan. By Roger Bybee for Dollars and Sense— President Obama seems ready to proceed full-throttle toward a health care reform plan, but one that will keep private insurers at the center of the system. The plan, termed “guaranteed affordable choice,” would allow workers to…
Read MoreRNs from Six States Rally for Single Payer Outside White House Healthcare Forum in Vermont
From Talking Points Memo— The White House may have hoped for a carefully structured discussion with a predictable and prescribed outcome that would fit smoothly into its desired agenda, but during the second regional forum on healthcare reform, the White House heard once again that other options are not only available but are also strongly…
Read MoreHow’s this for a stimulus — let’s give Medicare to everyone
By Andy Everman for MLive.com— Often we hear about how education (especially higher education) is crucial for economic development and job creation. Rarely do we get any credible specifics about how this actually works, even from our knowledgeable colleges and universities. In fact, can our colleges and universities demonstrate that they truly are sending out…
Read MoreDoes the Health Insurance Industry Have Congress In Its Pocket?
No one ever talks about dismantling the Fire Department, Police Department, or Postal Service because they’re models of a scary socialist project. Why should healthcare be any different? Quite simply, the health insurance industry stands in the way. And as the Real News Network reports, they’ve been lobbying hard to make sure that a for…
Read MoreSingle-Payer News from the Vermont Health Forum
Over 200 single payer advocates attended a rally initiated by Dr. Deb Richter, PNHP, outside of the White House regional forum, hosted by the Governors of Vermont and Massachusetts. These are some initial press reports: Hopes, Fears At Vermont Health Care Forum NPR Single-payer advocates plan to protest health care forum Rutland Herald Douglas, Patrick…
Read MoreDouglas, Patrick co-host health care forum
By Anya Huneke for NECN.com— 48 million Americans. That’s the latest estimate of how many Americans are living without health insurance. President Obama has promised to reduce that number by expanding health care coverage in the U.S. Key players in the reform debate met to do some brainstorming in Burlington, Vermont, today. Two hours before…
Read MoreProtesters Rally Outside Health Forum
By Kate Duffy for WCAX News— Supporters of a single-payer system of health care used a special White House forum to send a message to the man in the Oval Office. “Barack Obama said it at an AFL-CIO meeting in 2003 that he was an advocate of the single-payer health care system,” said Dr. Deb…
Read MoreAction Alert: “Sick Around America”
We urge you to reach out to your community and host Sick Around America watching parties on and after March 31st. Sick Around America, a compelling and timely documentary exposing the serious consequences of getting sick in the United States, will premiere on PBS on March 31st. It is the sequel to the highly acclaimed…
Read MoreAlabama Labor Council and KY CWA Local Endorse HR 676
The Southwest Alabama Labor Council has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The Alabama Labor Council is the one hundred-and-twenty-first labor council to endorse the Conyers legislation. The resolution was forwarded to the members of congress who represent Mobile and surrounding areas. In Lexington, Kentucky, CWA Local 3372…
Read MoreThe questions our healthcare debate ignores
By Joe Conason for Salon.com— As President Obama issued his call for reform of American healthcare, he must have been gratified to hear so many professions of good faith and civility from the political and commercial interests that have always opposed change. The health insurance lobbyists as well as the politicians who serve them all…
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