This is just an FYI for all of you who care about real Universal Health care. The most prominent real piece of legislation out there that would be move us towards true Universal Health Care is HR676. The man responsible for bringing it to Congress is John Conyers, who I am proud to say is from my state. He also supports Barack Obama. People might just want to think about that.
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http://www.pnhp.org/publications/the_national_health_insurance_bill_hr_676.phpPhysicians Propose Solution to Rising Health Care Costs and Uninsured
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- A group of the nation's most prominent physicians and progressive leaders of Congress will hold a press conference briefing Tuesday, February 4, 11am, 2226 Rayburn House Office Building, to unveil a new bill, The United States National Health Insurance Act, a single-payer national health program. The legislation proposes an effective mechanism for controlling skyrocketing health costs while covering all 42 million uninsured Americans. The bill also restores free choice of physician to patients and provides comprehensive prescription drug coverage to seniors, as well as younger people.
Universal Health Care
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http://www.johnconyers.com/http://www.johnconyers.com/issues/universal_health_careFor over thirty-seven years, Rep. John Conyers has been one of the most vocal advocates for universal health care in the United States Congress. He has introduced two critically important pieces of legislation, the "United States National Health Insurance Act," H.R. 676, which has the support of over 9000 physicians; and H. Con. Res. 99; which calls on Congress to pass universal health legislation by 2005.
Both bills have served as critically important organizing tools for hundreds of organizations across the country who are part of a newly energized national movement for universal health care. Through Rep. Conyers' leadership, the Congressional Black Caucus has declared universal health care its number one legislative priority of the 108th Congress, and has launched a campaign for universal health care and the elimination of minority health disparities.
Mr. Conyers was also instrumental in shaping the House Democratic alternative Medicare prescription drug proposal that was defeated by the Republican-dominated House. Working through the Congressional Black Caucus and the Progressive Caucus, Mr. Conyers helped to persuade ranking Democratic House leaders to introduce legislation that would provide seniors with an effective prescription drug coverage under the traditional Medicare program that would truly help seniors afford the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs by covering 80% of their prescription drug bills.
Rep. Conyers has helped secure approximately 10 million dollars of federal funds for the Detroit Medical Center over the last three years. These funds went to strengthen health care services at Detroit Medical Center for pregnant women, the disabled, children, veterans, and the uninsured.
Mr. Conyers recently lead efforts to get desperately needed federal funds to keep the Detroit Medical Center from closing their doors. He facilitated several meetings with DMC officials, Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson's office, senior lobbyists of the Bush Administration, Governor Granholm, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Detroit City Council Members in order to find common ground, federal funding, and a workable long term solution to the Detroit Hospital crisis.
Through these meetings, Rep. Conyers provided the necessary leadership and awareness of the severity of the DMC hospital crisis, that ultimately help pave the way for a short term infusion of federal funds government and Governor Granholm.
Rep. Conyers has been an outspoken supporter of improving the working conditions for nurses. Most nurses are often forced to work unreasonably long hours, and are in charge of too many patients, as cash strapped hospitals claim to be unable to hire more nurses.
Studies by the Institute of Medicine have revealed that unreasonable nursing shortages, mandatory over-time, and low nurse to patient ratios have created a national shortage of nurses because the profession is no longer viewed as an attractive one to go into.
Rep. Conyers has been an original co-sponsor of legislation to improve working conditions for nurses, including the Nursing Reinvestment Act, legislation that would allow those interested in becoming nurses to receive more scholarships and low interest nursing school loans, and legislation introduced by Senator Kennedy that would ban mandatory over time for nurses.
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On the Road for Barack Obama
By JC
Created Jan 31 2008 - 7:25am
I only have a minute, because I've got to catch a plane to Hartford,
Connecticut, but I just wanted to share with all of you the excitement
I sense out on campaign trail for Barack Obama. I spent the day in
Delaware yesterday, talking with members of the Delaware Legislative
Black Caucus, attorneys in Wilmington and Longshoremen at the local
union hall. I met so many people who, like me, are ready for a real
change in the White House-- not just a change of party, but a new
vision for what is possible in America if we work together. I will
write more from Connecticut, and hopefully post some photos, too.
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