February 2013 – Healthcare-NOW

Winning Medicare for All? “I Like Our Chances”

Despite insights, Time magazine’s cover story falls short on remedy By James Kahn for Common Dreams – In his recent Time magazine article, Steven Brill paints a vivid and rather depressing picture of the perverse malfunctioning of our health care system – overpriced and technology-addicted – and he acknowledges some of the advantages of Medicare.…

How the Insurer Knows You Just Stocked Up on Ice Cream and Beer

By Jen Wieczner for the Wall Street Journal – Your company already knows whether you have been taking your meds, getting your teeth cleaned and going for regular medical checkups. Now some employers or their insurance companies are tracking what staffers eat, where they shop and how much weight they are putting on—and taking action…

Why Workers Should Be Wary About Corporate Wellness

By Steve Early for the Nation – A growing number of US companies are now urging their employees to slim down, exercise more, reduce their cholesterol and blood pressure levels, or quit smoking—all socially desirable goals. But if these workers fail to cooperate with the new corporate “wellness” regime and adopt a healthier lifestyle (under…

Why Tea Party Gov. Rick Scott Flip-Flopped on Obamacare

By Stephanie Mencimer for Mother Jones – Florida Gov. Rick Scott was elected in 2010 almost entirely thanks to his activism opposing the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Scott spent $20 million of his own considerable fortune attacking the law, and the Republican backed the state’s lawsuit challenging its constitutionality all the way…

Take Action – Medicare for All Act Reintroduced

We’re excited to announce that Rep John Conyers (D-Mich.) reintroduced HR 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, last week. The bill had 37 initial cosponsors and an additional three signed on soon after it was reintroduced. Rep. Conyers has introduced HR 676 every Congress since 2003. He remains committed, despite the passage…

Health Care Spending: A 21st Century Gold Rush

By Dr. Philip Caper for the Bangor Daily News – Winston Churchill once remarked, “Americans will always do the right thing, once they’ve exhausted all alternatives.” His observation, at least the second half of it, is proving itself as we continue to struggle with our health care system, especially its out-of-control costs that are crippling…

Conyers Reintroduces National Single-Payer Health Care Bill

Today, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) reintroduced H.R. 676, “The Expanded And Improved Medicare For All Act.” This bill would establish a privately-delivered, publicly-financed universal health care system, where physicians and non-profit health care providers would be in charge of medical decisions — not insurance companies. H.R. 676 would expand and improve the highly popular…

Call Congress – Single-Payer Bill to be Reintroduced

Ask your Representative to become an original cosponsor of HR 676: “The Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act.” today! Rep. John Conyers is going to reintroduce national, single-payer healthcare legislation very soon–sometime this week. Before he introduces the bill, Mr. Conyers would like to have as many original cosponsors as possible. Please call your…

Growing Support for Single-Payer in Oregon

An Oregon house bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, is not expected to pass, but advocates claim momentum By Christopher David Gray for the Lund Report – Nearly a thousand people swarmed the front of the Oregon Capitol Building for the opening session Monday, demanding that Oregon become the second state to enact single-payer…

Hundreds rally for single-payer healthcare in Oregon

By Bennett Hall for Corvallis Gazette-Times – Hundreds of people from all over Oregon rallied in Salem on the first day of the legislative session to call attention to what they claim is a broken health care system and call on lawmakers to enact reforms. An estimated 1,000 protesters, many brandishing signs and wearing red…