Healthcare-NOW

Pause in Honor of Medicare

By Richard Propp, M.D. for the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) – At this time of year I usually start thinking about the passage of Medicare in July of 1965. How in the world did President Johnson decide to take on Congress to approve such a huge program for seniors? To sum it up, it was…

A Road Map to State Single Payer

This year, some of our movement’s most inspirational organizing has focused on state-level single-payer healthcare legislation. Consequently, our ally Public Citizen released a report today titled “A Road Map to ‘Single Payer:’ How States Can Escape the Clutches of the Private Health Insurance System.” The report aims to help state legislators and activists navigate the…

Idaho AFL-CIO endorses HR 676, National Single Payer Health Care

From UnionsForSinglePayer.org – Rian Van Leuven, President of the Idaho State AFL-CIO, announced that on June 12, 2013, the delegates to the 55th Annual Idaho State AFL-CIO Convention passed a resolution to publicly endorse and support H.R. 676, Single Payer Healthcare. Further the resolution states “That the Idaho State AFL-CIO will develop working relationships with…

Local 155, United Steelworkers, endorses HR 676

From Unions for Single Payer – Rick Rigney, President of USW Local 155, reports that his union has endorsed HR 676, national single payer health care legislation sponsored by Congressman John Conyers. “We just believe that every American ought to be afforded the right to have health care,” said Rigney, “but there are a lot…

GOP Hospital Executive Calls For Single-Payer

By Jack Bernard for the Observer – After spending 25 years in the health care field, most of it related to making hospitals more efficient and effective, I have become skeptical of many of Washington’s reform efforts, especially by my party, the GOP. One of the biggest problems with health care is escalating, uncontrolled expenditures,…

Celebrate Medicare’s 48th Anniversary!

This July 30 marks Medicare’s 48th anniversary. To celebrate, we’re working with our network of hundreds of activist to help organize dozens of actions across the country–including rallies, teach-ins, and speak outs. Medicare has reduced poverty among the elderly by two-thirds since it was introduced and it remains extremely popular — 58 percent of people…

Health Care for All Colorado Will Try for 2014 Ballot

By Michael Booth for the Denver Post – Health Care for All Colorado will shoot for a 2014 statewide ballot vote rather than 2013, supporters have decided. The progressive cause has launched an education effort across the state, but decided to take the extra year to gather support and earn enough of the tens of…

Oregon Single-Payer Activists Keep Dream of Universal Healthcare Alive

In Oregon, a separate measure, giving state sponsorship of a comprehensive study on universal healthcare financing, makes its way through the Committee on Ways & Means. By Christopher David Gray for the Lund Report – May 15, 2013 — Wes Brain was uninsured last winter when a tonsillectomy showed signs of throat cancer. He qualified…

National Single Payer Call-In Day

Healthcare-NOW! is pleased to join with Progressive Democrats of America to support a nationwide call-in day today to increase awareness and co-sponsors in Congress for HR 676–the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard toll-free at (866) 220-0044, ask for your representative’s office, and then ask them to sign as…

AFT Wisconsin endorses HR 676

From UnionsForSinglePayer.org – On October 27, 2012, at its convention in Manitowoc, AFT Wisconsin endorsed Congressman John Conyers’ bill, HR 676, a national single payer health care program that would implement Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. “AFT-W will … mobilize our members and our community at the grassroots to encourage other members of the…