Healthcare, Compromised

Overhauling our healthcare system has been part of my agenda for ages now. I’ve never been too optimistic about its chances. As Obama came in and started to say all the right things, I began to have hope. But after flipping through the alternative press, those hopes are again dashed…

My main fear is of severely compromised reform, destined for failure. Getting everyone’s “OK” will mean flawed legislation. Make no mistake about it – single-payer systems are working the best in other countries, and Americans are not as unique as we’d all like to think. Single payer has already been introduced, by Rep. John Conyers. It’s H.R. 676, The United States National Health Care Act. Spread the word – like to the lawmakers supposed to be working for you.

Unconvinced single-payer is the way to go? The case for single-payer, made ad nauseum:

Comment by Dr. Don McCanne, PNHP Senior Health Policy Fellow:

Once again, fiscal analysis shows that the models of reform that build on our highly flawed, fragmented system of financing health care actually increase health care spending while falling far short on the goals of reform. In contrast, the single payer model would provide truly comprehensive care for absolutely everyone while significantly reducing health care spending.

The thing that got me excited and optimistic in the first place is the change in public opinion concerning healthcare. One thing Obama has done well is to make the case for reform in financial terms. Will he follow through with garbage reform when there’s the opportunity for so much more? Say it ain’t so.

The Selling of Single-Payer Features, by Helen Redmond, Counterpunch.org
The sea change in the public’s attitude toward government financed health care, however, has gotten press. A New York Times poll in June found that 72 percent supported a government-administered insurance plan – like Medicare for everyone under the age of 65. That poll also reported 64 percent believed the federal government should guarantee coverage to the entire population, i.e. health care should be a human right. Another interesting number: 85 percent of respondents said the health care system needed to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt. This is in stark contrast to President Obama’s position of tepid, incremental reform.