Video of Disruption by Single-Payer Advocates at Senate Roundatable on Health Reform
Members of Single Payer Action, PNHP, Healthcare-NOW!, and Labor for Single Payer, disrupted the opening to today’s Senate Roundtable discussion on health reform demanding that single-payer points of view be heard. Here’s video:
Read more about this action here.
See more videos here.
Good work! Don’t let the bullies shut you up.
Good job. I am very proud of the people that went and took a stand. Single Payer needs to be at the table. I thought the President’s platform was “for the people and by the people”. I am very disappointed that they are not hearing all of the arguments and then making an assessment;as President Obama proclaimed his governing practice would be.
THIS IS WHAT IT’S GOING TO TAKE TO GET SINGLE PAYER ON THE TABLE.. THE SPECIAL INTEREST PUPPETS WE CALL SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN NEED TO HEAR OUR VOICES IN ANY WAY WE CAN MAKE THEM HEARD..I HOPE THIS BRINGS ATTENTION TO WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON IN THIS HEALTHCARE REFORM CHARADE!!!!
WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE THE 8 WHO WERE ARRESTED TODAY!!!!!!!!
Is it possible to create a grass roots entity… to begin payment into a SINGLE PAYER system? Negotiate with one or more Hospital chains by state for the same policy and coverage 100% coverage of all illnesses for all people. If Obama and Congress get his program through “mandatory payment into a health care policy for all Americans” we can have a policy most Americans can move to or get behind. We would need our system organized locally, and then duplicate it all over the Country. There may be a need to accumulate a cash base to pay bills as they are created. When regions come on line, Funds can be loaned to other regions until more policyholders make monthly contributions. Create a task force to visit a working model, get base line costs for this to fly. Then inform Americans the regional CEO for this version of SINGLE PAYER will not be paid above a specific $ amount this system will not create Millionaires or billionaires. No Board of directors can be allowed to influence this projects direction. Possibly a legal separation of responsibilities to keep special interests from searing the program back into the Corporate Profit Model of health provision.
If a Hospital or group of Doctors does not fulfill its commitment remove them from the pay benefits for a YEAR initially. Make providers of direct medical services responsible for high quality low cost medical care. Encourage sharing of information; create a conduit between hospitals to keep costs low. If Hospital equipment vendors are viewed as over charging require the Hospital to resolve the issue in short order. Or withdraw that Hospital from membership. No member of administration will be allowed special powers to generate income as a direct result of their administrative role in the SINGLE PAYER organization.
To all Registered Democrats:
Massive demonstrations in DC and threats to Democratic HQ’s of massive disaffiliation from the Democratic Party, and Peaceful Civil Disobedience:
Only options left.
Single Payer: only solution.
Down with the Fascism of Baucus and his team of DemoBlicans.
Obama is too pusillanimous to take the lead.
Registered Democrats Anywhere? I challenge you to make the calls.
Edgar A. Lopez MD.FACS.
Member of PNHP.
4O2O6
Bravo! The sacrafice made by these individuals is very much appreciated.
the truth is there wont be enough doctors to take care of everyone. and specialists wont accept government payments. there will be 2 systems. a public one with not doctors, and a private one with providers who will only take cash or private insurance. if the government forces providers to take the government plan, how many older surgeons and providers will retire?
your fear mongering will not work. You are very wrong about your assumptions. I am quite sure that specialists who make a lot of money will try to one-up any system that tries to control their costs, however, I happen to know a lot of the doctors who are in the Single-Payer campaign. They are mostly general practitioners who are the ones who bear the brunt of the dis-abling tactics of the insurance companies. On top of that, most of the doctors who have left the actual delivery of healthcare are general practitioners. Having a viable Single-Payer system will bring a lot of them back into actual delivery activities. Join that with the unbelievable savings we get by getting rid of the insurance companies (i.e., 30 cents out of every dollar comes back to pay for actual delivery!), we already have a system bought and paid for which has enough dollars to pay for coverage of every single person in this country today AND it will provide with eye, dental, prescriptions, and mental health that today is not covered at all, or minimaly! This is the healthcare the American people deserve and that 82% of them want. The Media, the Pundits, the Senators and Congressmen pushing back against this are bought and paid for by the insurance and pharmaceutical lobby! Everything out of their mouths about Single-Payer IS A LIE! Why don’t you nay-sayers actually read the evidence. The California Nurses Association has study after study on their website that PROVES all the things we are saying about Single-Payer. The truth is there in black and white for all to see, if only people would listen to the lies being told they would realize they are lies. But most people, including YOU, don’t listen… they just start screaming off their own biases! Cut the biases and the clear truth will prevail… SINGLE-PAYER IS THE ONLY WAY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO GET A HANDLE ON COSTS AND BE ABLE TO COVER EVERYBODY WITH COMPREHENSIVE CARE NOT PLATITUDES!
I’m sick of hearing these lame arguments about the unworthiness of a single payer plan. Ever been to France? People are healthy and slender. I am 5’7″ and weigh 193 and was the fattest man in Paris. That’s because they have a marvelous single payer, government run, healthcare plan for all people and good preventive care as we don’t. We expect people to get sick then go to the ER. Why don’t you go some place other than your living room and see for yourself? Or go to England, Canada, Japan, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, etc. etc. Only people who never traveled to other countries buy these lame arguments of yours–those who never traveled and who watch telly 24/7. Take a bath.
I have been saying this all along!! we will not get action until and unless we step from behind these keyboards and mount a visible loud protest!!!
THANK YOU DOCTORS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE!!!!!
Thanks to these true patriots, who put their personal comfort behind their care for their fellow Americans. Medicare for All is the only solution that might possibly address the outcome disparities here in South Carolina. We have gone beyond a Corridor of Shame to an entire State of Shame. We are facing an epidemic of prematurity. Despite efforts by the March of Dimes, CDC and other agencies, the number of babies born at less than 37 weeks in 2006 was 530,000 in the U.S. and 7,607 in S.C. The rate of premature births among African Americans is almost twice that of White babies (Region 6 News Network, April 2009, Department of Health and Environmental Control). We are winning the bottom of the barrel award in so many other health crisis categories. There is no room for profit in healthcare. Patients die daily due to protection of corporate profits. Senator Baucus, why were there no single payer supporters at the table?
These people are leaders.
Max Baucus and Barack Obama can’t even follow. And Obama has to take more of the blame because in 2003 he said all we needed was a Democratic Congress and President and would have single payer.
Don’t hold your breath.
True-blue FDR-style Montana Democrats need to announce a primary candidate opposing Sen. Baucus IMMEDIATELY. They also need to organize at least a handfull of dedicated single-payer advocates to picket Sen. Baucus’ offices in Helena and/or Missoula and/or Great Falls and/or Billings and/or Bozeman on a daily basis until Sen. Baucus renounces his opposition to a single-payer system. His “we need more police” remark should be on every protest sign and in every political ad until the sheer shame of it forces him from office. He is a bought-and-paid-for hack jackass who needs to be removed from the U.S. Senate faster than his beloved health insurance giants can deny a claim.
A primary candidate to oppose Baucus is a great idea. Maybe this new group can help.
A new advocacy group, Montanans for Single-Payer, has just formed.
From their website: http://montanansforsinglepayer.org/
“HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE SINGLE-PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE?
Montanans for Single-Payer is reaching out to Montanans and across the nation to provide information on why only a single-payer approach can bring real change to American health care. We are active in all 56 counties and can notify 14,000 Montanans of developments in health care reform. We recognize that Montanans have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of health care in America because U.S. Senator Max Baucus is a key player in that effort. Montanans for Single-Payer believes he will listen to the voices of Montanans so Montanans must make clear that we want a single-payer health care system. Utilizing our email campaign, we plan to activate a network of Montanans whenever there is a decision on health care reform coming up in Washington, D.C. urging citizens to contact Senators Baucus and Tester, Representative Denny Rehberg, and President Barack Obama.”
As you know, Senator Max Baucus has blocked even the consideration of single-payer reform from the table. Hopefully, Montanans for Single-Payer can help.
Action Plan:
1. Visit the Montanans for Single Payer website and check out the “What Can I Do?” section. It has a great list of contacts and resources: http://montanansforsinglepayer.org/?page_id=29
2. JOIN: From their website: “Let us know who you are so we can send you our updates about activities. If you will agree to help us get the information out to your friends, we can create a network of supporters that will create the political will needed by our Congressional members. LOG IN and we will add you to our email list so we can keep you updated on activities or send us your email to”: infor@montanansforsinglepayer.org
LET’S ALL SUPPORT MONTANANS FOR SINGLE-PAYER!
These people are heroes–genuine heroes.
There WILL be a MARCH ON WASHINGTON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH, the National Lobby Day and Rally for Single-Payer in Washington DC. Find out more here: http://www.healthcare-now.org/2009/04/national-lobby-day-and-rally-for-single-payer-in-dc/
Also, there will be a Nationwide Day of Action in communities all over the country on Saturday, May 30th. Your Senators and Representatives will be in their districts then – plan to meet with them in your hometown. Find out more here: http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/may-30th-day-of-action/
As a WWII veteran I have never been more proud of my fellow Americans that took this courageous stand today against this fake search for health care reform. They have served my country honorable and I consider them to be an equal fellow veteran that stood for the well being of the Nation. How can we otherwise when our children and grandchildren are within one health care crisis of financial ruin.
I am glad finally someone has stood up and spoken truth to power. I too, one day will join them until we have Single Payer Universal Healthcare. It is about time we had more civil disobedience in Washington. I hope there are more people to do this and others to organize and run against Baucus and the other representatives of the pharmaceutical-health insurance industrial complex in the Senate and the House. It is time to organize and fight.
Did those protesters get arrested and go to jail, or were they just tossed from the room?
Whether their thesis is right or wrong, there is sufficient support that there must be a seat at the table for the single payer proponents.
I just sent the following fax to Mr. Baucus:
FAX May 5, 2009
Mr. Max Baucus
U. S. Senate
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Baucus:
I am outraged beyond words at your contemptible attitude towards those who want Single Payer Health Insurance put on the table for dealing with our health care crisis. It clearly shows you have been bought out by the health insurance industry who doesn’t give a hoot about people; only in making profits whether it kills them or not.
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word constantly admonishes those who abuse the poor, needy and widow will suffer greatly at His Hands. Since none of you care about the 22,000 Americans who die each year because they can’t afford health insurance or medical care and the other 47,000,000 who have no health insurance, we are turning to the Lord to smite all those who oppose any truly affordable health care for all the people in this country.
REMEMBER THEIR BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS AND IT WILL NOT BE FUN TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD. I am praying the following prayer over you and try to get others to do likewise: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I bind Mr. Baucus and all the others who are deliberately not doing anything to alleviate the suffering and death of millions of Americans by refusing to pass H.R.676/S. 703, the National Health Insurance Act and that you will strip them of all their possessions and financial wealth that they will become as poor as those who cannot afford health insurance and eat grass in the fields as Nebechanezzer did. Rise up oh God and defend the poor, needy and widow whom you have pledged from time immemorial to help. Hear their cries and answer them, thus do we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. God humbles the exalted like you and raises the humble like those who cannot afford health insurance.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Firth
All those of you out there who are Christian use the power of binding what is on earth shall be bound in Heaven. Join in prayer groups and bind these evil men and their selfish motives.
For the courage and passion to speak truth to power, you have our respect and admiration.
IMPs
I’m grateful to those of you who stood up to Baucus and the Committee today. Apparently, our votes for change weren’t enough to actually bring it about. As one who was arrested in 2005 when I and 17 other grandmothers attempted to enlist in the military at the Times Square recruitment center to highlight the fact that America’s granchildren were being used as fodder for Bush’s evil war against Iraq, I understand the need for peaceful protest. Thank you..
Joan Wile, Granny Peace Brigade Jailbird
I noticed with all his nice words about respect, Senator Baucas never explained why no seat was available for a representative of our group. Lets keep asking this question.
Thank you Thank you Thank you! Please keep up the good work, I donate when I can, but I really appreciate the sacrifice that those individuals made at the hearing. I know they were arrested and I’m sure there will be charges, bail, etc. God Bless them, they are doing the work that will make a difference.
Sen. Max Baucus has forgotten one very important fact. That ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ run the government, not the other way around. Just as they were voted in, they can be voted out.
I will make sure the laughing hyenas are reminded of this come election time, and that this footage re-surfaces of them laughing their asses off at the expense of dying Americans.
A big thank you to these doctors for standing up for the people. In Colorado, we were only 1 vote short of passing legislation towards single payer in the House of Representatives. We had 6 Democrats would not support the legislation.
Talk about greedy profiteering insurance companies who have “bought” Baucus and his friends
with huge contributions to try to put in place a ridiculous insurance company health care plan
that everyone with any sense knows is a failure and has caused millions of people to go into
bankruptcy.
H..R. 676 – Enhanced and Improved Medicare for All is the single-payer universal health care
plan we need!
Here is an email i received from Ralph Nader:
Yesterday morning, eight doctors, lawyers and other activists stood up to Senator Max Baucus. And the private health insurance industry. And the corporate liberals in Congress. The eight activists demanded that single payer – everybody in, nobody out, free choice of doctor and hospital – be put on the table. And as a result they were arrested. And charged with a so-called “disruption of Congress.”
The Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Politico, Democracy Now and National Public Radio all carried stories about the protest. C-Span carried it live. And it was widely disseminated on the Internet.
Baucus crafted a hearing to kick off the health care debate in the Senate yesterday where 15 witnesses would be at the table to discuss health care reform.10 Excellent Reasons for National Health Care
* The insurance industry was at the table.
* The Business Roundtable was at the table.
* The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was at the table.
* Blue Cross Blue Shield was at the table.
* The Heritage Foundation was at the table.
And corporate liberals like Andy Stern, Ron Pollack, and AARP were at the table. But not one person who stood for what the majority of Americans, doctors, nurses, and health economists want (single payer) was at the table. Not one.
When I heard about this corporate line-up last week, I called the office of Senator Baucus. And politely asked that, as a matter of fairness, a single payer doctor be allowed to testify. I was told – no way, Ralph. The deal is done.
So, yesterday, at 10 a.m., the Baucus Eight, led by Single Payer Action and other single payer groups, took to the Senate Finance Committee. And directly and respectfully confronted a room full of corporate lobbyists. And corporate controlled Senators. And again asked that a group of doctors who were in the room to support Medicare for all be allowed to testify.
The answer again – no, no, and no. Remember what Senator Richard Durbin said last week? Durbin said that the banks “own” the Congress. To which we might add – the health insurance industry and the drug industry own the Senate.
Faxing, writing, and e-mailing is not getting it done. Enough is enough. Time for action. This is a winnable issue. But the American people need to focus on 535 members of Congress. And get mobilized. Single Payer Action is at your service to get the job done.
To honor the Baucus Eight – who all wore black yesterday in memory of the more than 20,000 Americans who – according to the Institute of Medicine – die every year from lack of health insurance. And to fuel a citizen action movement that will deliver single payer to the American people – sooner not later. Together, we can break the corporate stranglehold on Congress. And deliver health care for all. Single payer. More comprehensive. More efficient. More humane. More peace of mind. Let’s get it done. Onward to single payer,
Ralph Nader
My gratitude goes out to the 8 that had the courage to stand and tell the truth. As an RN in the medical field for 28yrs, I know well that Single Payer is the most humane, cost effective, life saving, stress reducing answer to our healthcare dilemma.
I am so encouraged to finally see the growing outrage and mobilization of attention that this deserves. Even though this has seemed like a no brainer to me for many years, I have had to remind myself many times that we have had our current system of private insurance in place for 60 yrs. It will take alot of education to bring our nation up to speed on this issue.
I hope that local action groups are looking at ways to utilize the media as we go forward. We are facing very lucrative industries that have millions to campaign with. This is a true grassroots effort. Power to the people….let’s prove that our precious democracy does work!
Our elected officials cannot forever ignore the wishes of the majority. Now is the time to gather that majority and move forward with conviction, certainty, power and authority. This is OUR healthcare system!!
Blessing to you all that are behind this movement!!
I think our so-called “representatives” will not listen so long as we are being nice and polite, sitting at our computers, and talking only to one another. Our so-called “representatives” nod their heads politely to us, then vote as Conglomko Corp. wants them to. Equally important as single payer healthcare (as Medicare is right now) is “campaign finance reform.” We need “campaign finance reform” so that corporations have no voice in our democracy. We need to outlaw gifts of any kind from lobbyists. It is because our so-called representatives receive campaign contributions and other perks from Conglomko and other corporations that we get those smiley faces and polite nods but a vote that goes in the opposite direction. Noisy, loud, obnoxious protests are what we should give our so-called representatives. (while we’re at it, deny those taser torture weapons to the coppers).
People said a black man can never be elected president – they were wrong! People say Single Payer will never happen – they are wrong ! It is the only plan that can guarantie healthcare for all, effectively hold down cost, and improve health statistics through prevention and early intervention. Insurance companies simply suck money out of the system without contributing anything positive. We do not need AIG style control of our healthcare – we need Single Payer. Thank you all for your fearless action – this is exactly what we all need to do. We have been nice for years and have been ignored. The other day they laughed at us and called for more police – now we need to make them fight us now so we can win.