Action Alert: Why are Single-Payer Supporters so Furious?

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, said, when asked about the “public option,” “Can you say flat out that it’s just never going to be single-payer health insurance?”:

“Oh, I think that’s very much the case. And again, if you want anybody to convince people of that, talk to the single-payer proponents who are furious that the single-payer idea is not part of the discussion. And the president has said over and over again that what we need is an American solution to an American problem. What we have is a situation where most private insurance is provided through a workplace, through a connection with somebody’s employer. And what we don’t want to do as we’re trying to solve the problem of insuring all Americans is dismantle a system that works well for a lot of people.”

In his address to the American Medical Assoc., President Obama said:

“What are not legitimate concerns are those being put forward claiming a public option is somehow a Trojan horse for a single-payer system. I’ll be honest. There are countries where a single-payer system may be working. But I believe…that it is important for us to build on our traditions here in the United States. So, when you hear the naysayers claim that I’m trying to bring about government-run health care, know this–they are not telling the truth.”

So what do we, single-payer supporters, do next? Take action!

Call Kathleen Sebelius at 1-877-696-6775 and email the President.

Tell them that, unlike single-payer healthcare (HR 676), the proposed reforms are not universal (36 million Americans will still be uninsured), Americans will pay the entire bill (estimates from the CBO on Senatory Kennedy’s legislation show the reform will cost one trillion dollars over ten years as opposed to the nearly 400 billion dollars in savings under a single-payer system), and healthcare would continue to be a commodity, NOT a guaranteed right.

Also, sign Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Petition to Congress supporting single-payer healthcare.

We are standing up for single-payer health care on July 30th! Join us in Washington, DC on July 30th for Medicare’s 44th Birthday Rally and Lobby Day for Single-Payer Healthcare.

6 Comments

  1. Gregg H. on June 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    It’s time for the left to stop making excuses for this President. I hear folks saying that they’re disappointed in Obama, they’re confused by his actions… But I don’t often hear them say “Obama is a liar”. We need to start saying this loudly without equivocation. Obama is a liar.



  2. Doug Gerash on June 18, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I phoned Seibelius’s office this morning. The receptionist directed me to a voicemail so I had to record my comments. I hope she likes them.

    I kind of rambled on barely controlling my outrage, but I did say that single-payer was what the majority of us want that that she had a lot of nerve dismissing the concept outright. I sure hope some other people called today in response to this arrogant dismissal.



  3. Jean on June 18, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    Until we have Single Payer health care nothing will be done about the outrages cost of prescription drugs. Few know that the government “gives” grants to universities to develop new drugs for pharmaceutical companies . Then the universities give the drugs they developed to the pharmaceutical company to patent. After the government pays to develop a drug the drug companies gouge the public with outrageous prices. Few know a pharmaceutical rep after a few months of study starts at around $100K and get a car. cell phone and all expenses. An RN with a BS degree ( 4 years) starts under $50K and pays for his/her own car, cell phone and expenses. When the government cuts the checks they will think twice about these practices. Fair prescription drug prices and the ability to negotiate drug prices will go a long way to cut health care costs



  4. Cathy V on June 18, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    I agree with Gregg. It seems like everyone who is elected to office in this country is pandering to the health insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry. When is it our turn? When will the people we elect represent the people who elect them? I doubt it will happen before he!! freezes over…

    My grandson lost his father one year ago. His father would most likely still be alive had he had health care 6 years ago, but he lost his job and health insurance. He had high blood pressur, a treatable condition, but was refused medical care because he couldn’t pay for it. His BP skyrocketed and blew his kidneys out. THEN he could get medical care.

    No one can convince me that quarterly visits to the DR and blood pressure medicine BEFORE his kidneys failed was more expensive than years of dialysis and medications, treatment of complications and disability. And no one can convince me that my grandson should have to live without a father because 6 years ago his father couldn’t get medical treatment because he couldn’t pay for it.

    Single Payer Now.



  5. Caryl K on June 21, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Sebelius makes me sick, as does Daschle. And I’m pretty much fed up with Obama, too. When he campaigned for the Senate he was for single payer and said that to get there the Dems needed the house, senate and white house. They’ve got all three and by bigger margins than the Repubs ever had but they won’t even consider single payer and now say they can’t even get a public option. WTF?



  6. Georgina on June 23, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Single payer is the only solution to health care reform Costs less and covers everyone. The 1st group of nurses and doctors who asked Sen. Baucus to include this option on the table for discussion at the Finance Hearings were before a judge yesterday in DC 6/22/09. One possible option for these brave and good people is that they should do 100 hours community service in their home towns or 40 hours in DC!!! For what?? So that President Obama and the Democratic machine can continue to receive money from Insurance, Pharm and Hospitals for Profit. Next time round at the polls the Dems. are going to see a major shift in their base. Also, the national leadership of unions are endorsing public/private, Why?? The rank and file know this won’t work why are they allowed to get away with it. As Conyers said ” no reform is better than bad reform”