George McGovern: It's Simple: Medicare for All

[cal04]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091102406.html

For many years, a handful of American political leaders -- including the late senator Ted Kennedy and now President Obama -- have been trying to gain passage of comprehensive health care for all Americans. As far back as President Harry S. Truman, they have urged Congress to act on this national need. In a presentation before a joint session of Congress last week, Obama offered his view of the best way forward.

But what seems missing in the current battle is a single proposal that everyone can understand and that does not lend itself to demagoguery. If we want comprehensive health care for all our citizens, we can achieve it with a single sentence: Congress hereby extends Medicare to all Americans.

Those of us over 65 have been enjoying this program for years. I go to the doctor or hospital of my choice, and my taxes pay all the bills. It's wonderful. But I would have appreciated it even more if my wife and children and I had had such health-care coverage when we were younger. I want every American, from birth to death, to get the kind of health care I now receive. Removing the payments now going to the insurance corporations would considerably offset the tax increase necessary to cover all Americans.

I don't feel as though the government is meddling in my life when it pays my doctor and hospital fees. There are some things the government does that I don't like -- most notably getting us into needless wars that cost many times what health care for all Americans would cost. Investing in the health of our citizens will enhance the well-being and security of the nation.

[kath]

1. Happy to be the first to rec.

Go George McG - a great American!

[Douglas Carpenter]

2. kick and recommend - some common sense from this Great, great man

[mascarax]

3. K&R - I have so much respect for this man

If only.

[muntrv]

4. I second that emotion. Anthony Weiner has been suggesting the same thing.

[elocs]

5. Check here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6528390

[radiclib]

6. One more reminder

why my first vote in 1972 remains the proudest I've ever cast. The man is a national treasure.

[postulater]

7. McGovern for President!

Oh, wait.

[countmyvote4real]

8. That has always been the damn truth.

It makes one wonder what the party in power is fighting for.

I'm guessing it's their job and their constituents that vote are the least of their worries. They like the ones that pay to play.

[SPedigrees]

9. George McGovern, the first presidential candidate I voted for

when I became old enough to vote.

[northernlights]

10. my first presidential vote

I'll always be proud of that. Thank you, Senator McGovern, for speaking out.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. McGovern is as correct as can be

Amazing how easy it is to be concise and clear when one is speaking a truth, and how it takes a long winded speech of flowery language to push a bunch of half measures. McGovern, that is a great communicator. When I want a sermon, there is a church on the next block. In politics I want clarity, facts, and when money is involved, prices, numbers, percentages, not dynamics and theatrics.

[kath]

12. +1

[Vidar]

13. K&R

[OneBlueSky]

14. ya know, he's right . . . the simplest solution is often the best solution . . .

simply opening Medicare up to everyone sidesteps the immense problems involved with setting up an entirely new "public option" . . . we already have a public option, and all we need to do is expand its parameters to include everyone . . . simple, sensible, ready-to-go . . .

of course, our government NEVER does anything simply or sensibly . . . the more complex they can make something, the less chance that it will ever happen . . . and that's what seems to be happening with this healthcare business . . .

listen to our party's elders . . . they know what they're talking about . . .

[SHRED]

15. I like George except...

...his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act is a mystery to me.


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