How to Revive the Fight for Single-Payer

Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington is optimistic that it will come—if we give states the tools to adopt it at their own pace. By William Greider for the Nation – When the media frenzy subsides and Republicans run out of scare stories, the country will be faced with the most important question about Obamacare: Can…

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McDermott Lands Top Dem Spot on Healthcare Panel

By Sam Baker for The Hill – Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) snagged the top spot on a key healthcare subcommittee, House Democrats announced Tuesday. McDermott is now the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. The top spot opened up after former Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) lost his reelection bid in November,…

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Legislation May Enable States to Offer Universal Healthcare

To make universal coverage work at the state level, you’d need to channel federal healthcare funds into the system. A bill being drafted by Rep. Jim McDermott would allow that to happen. By David Lazarus for the LA Times – Universal coverage, Medicare for all, single payer — call it what you will. It’s clear…

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AFL-CIO Endorses Sanders/McDermott American Health Security Act of 2011

By the Labor Campaign for Single-Payer Healthcare – Stating that, “The fight to reform our nation’s healthcare system has only just begun,” AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker declared the Federation’s support for companion single-payer Bills submitted by Senator Sanders and Congressman McDermott. The Bills provide every American with affordable and comprehensive health care…

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Video: Sen. Sanders and Rep. McDermott Introduce Single-Payer Bills

Legislation to provide health care for every American through a Medicare-for-all type single-payer system was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bernie Sanders and in the House by Rep. Jim McDermott. Their twin bills would provide better care for more patients at less cost by eliminating the middle-man role played by private insurance companies that…

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Nurses Support American Health Security Act of 2011

From National Nurses United – On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., EDT, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA), will hold a joint news conference at the Senate Swamp to announce the introduction of the American Health Security Act of 2011 (the Act). The Act establishes a national healthcare program that…

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Seattle City Council endorses single payer healthcare

Since early days of Bill Clinton’s administration, 16 years ago, Rep. Jim McDermott has carried the torch for a national single-payer health program. A Washington Post profile characterized his devotion to the cause as bordering on religious. At one point in the early 1990’s, McDermott had nearly 90 House cosponsors for a Canada style national…

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