Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 02:10 PM Apr 2012

Kucinich on the Affordable Care Act: "I hope the law is upheld."

Kucinich: Supreme Court Ruling will be the Next Step toward Single-Payer Health Care

Washington, Mar 26 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who provided the pivotal vote in the House to pass the Affordable Care Act, today explained the Supreme Courts’ ruling will simply be the next step in the inevitable path towards single-payer health care. Today, the Supreme Court began hearing arguments as it considers the landmark health care reform bill passed in the previous Congress.

The Supreme Court has begun its review of the Affordable Care Act, and I hope the law is upheld. I voted for the bill, even as the coauthor of the single-payer solution, because it provided immediate relief [1] for my constituents. It also demonstrated that reform is possible within the context of the for-profit system. However, in the current for-profit system, one out of every three dollars spent on health care goes toward things other than providing health care. The cost of health care continues to grow because the costs cannot be constrained within the context of that for-profit system. Whether the Supreme Court upholds the law or strikes it down, single-payer is the only alternative that can meet our nation’s needs,” said Kucinich.

Congressman Kucinich is the coauthor, along with Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), of H.R. 676, Medicare for All. H.R. 676 would cover everyone in the U.S. for all medically necessary services with no copayments, premiums or deductibles, for the same amount we currently pay for health care.

“The fundamental question for Americans is whether health care is only for those who can afford it or whether health care is human right. I believe health care is a fundamental right of every American and we have found that when we treat it as such, it becomes more affordable for everyone.

“Congress has shown an appetite for single-payer. I introduced an amendment to the Affordable Care Act in 2009 in the Education and Labor Committee. The amendment, passed on a bipartisan vote but stripped from the bill, would have helped states pursue single-payer if that is what their residents wanted. My amendment was one of the first single-payer legislative victories in Congress. It won’t be the last.”

http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=287135


More on H.R. 676: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002501049

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kucinich on the Affordable Care Act: "I hope the law is upheld." (Original Post) ProSense Apr 2012 OP
Anyone interested ProSense Apr 2012 #1
K & R Scurrilous Apr 2012 #2
LMFAO... when Kucinich lost his seat SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #3
Everyone serves a purpose.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #4
So ProSense Apr 2012 #5
What difference does it make what I think? SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #6
Well, ProSense Apr 2012 #7

SomethingFishy

(4,876 posts)
3. LMFAO... when Kucinich lost his seat
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 04:48 PM
Apr 2012

Many on DU were very quick to tell me how useless the guy was.

Pivotal vote? Not according to DU. According to DU Kucinich was "USELESS".

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
5. So
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 05:18 PM
Apr 2012

"Pivotal vote? Not according to DU."

...you agree he was the "pivotal vote"?

Do you agree with him on upholding the law?

SomethingFishy

(4,876 posts)
6. What difference does it make what I think?
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 03:10 PM
Apr 2012

I don't know if he was a "pivotal vote". What I do know is many Obama "supporters" spent a few days crapping on Kucinich as never having done anything, being useless. Then you, whom I consider Obama's most ardent supporter, come in with a thread saying how Kucinich was a pivotal vote in HCR and using him as a reason to support the bill. I just found the whole thing amusing. Sorry if that bothers you.


Do I agree with him? Well, I think the mandate stinks. I thought it stunk when all the Democrats thought it stunk and I still think it stinks even though Democrats now support it. My name is not Romney after all.

However I think there are other things in the bill that take the right steps. I also think that if the mandate is held up and Democrats lose the election the Republicans will strip all the good out of the bill, leave the mandate and we'll be in much worse shape when all is said and done.

I think the whole thing is a gamble. Only time will tell if we win or lose.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
7. Well,
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 03:22 PM
Apr 2012
What difference does it make what I think?

I don't know if he was a "pivotal vote". What I do know is many Obama "supporters" spent a few days crapping on Kucinich as never having done anything, being useless. Then you, whom I consider Obama's most ardent supporter, come in with a thread saying how Kucinich was a pivotal vote in HCR and using him as a reason to support the bill. I just found the whole thing amusing. Sorry if that bothers you.

...about as much difference as the point you're making. Also, Kucinich is the one saying he was the "pivotal vote."

However I think there are other things in the bill that take the right steps. I also think that if the mandate is held up and Democrats lose the election the Republicans will strip all the good out of the bill, leave the mandate and we'll be in much worse shape when all is said and done.


That's possible (http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002495048), but if Republicans win, the mandate will be the least of people's problems.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Kucinich on the Affordabl...