LTTE to SP Times on universal healthcare, H.R.676

[Dr.Phool]

Re: Don't blame unions

The letter writer states that unions will never back national health care, because of the Medicare Prescription Drug fiasco.

While I agree that this plan is a boondoggle for the middle class, I think it is important to note that Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) has introduced a bill (H.R. 676) that would wise for both unions, manufacturers, and all other employees and employers to support.

This bill would expand the current Medicare system to include every American, regardless of age, income, or employment status. It would be funded by an additional 3.5% on employers. This would provide an enormous savings for manufacturers, businesses, and workers who have to pay for all or part of their insurance.

It would also make it illegal for the insurance industry to offer the same coverages, but would exclude coverage for elective procedures.

America is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't guarantee healthcare for it's citizens. It's time for that to change. Call or write your Congressman and Senator today to support this legislation.

We can work on straightening out that prescription drug plan later.

[leftstreet]

1. Is Conyer's plan the same as Kennedy's Medicare For All?

Sounds like it's similar.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0112-37.htm

An essential part of our progressive vision is an America where no citizen of any age fears the cost of health care, and no employer refuses to create new jobs or cuts back on current jobs because of the high cost of providing health insurance.

The answer is Medicare, whose 40th birthday we will celebrate in July. I propose that as a 40th birthday gift to the American people, we expand Medicare over the next decade to cover every citizen - from birth to the end of life.

It's no secret that America is still dearly in love with Medicare. Administrative costs are low. Patients' satisfaction is high. Unlike with many private insurers, they can still choose their doctor and their hospital.

I call this approach Medicare for All, because it will free all Americans from the fear of crippling medical expenses and enable them to seek the best possible care when illness strikes.

The battle to achieve Medicare for All will not be easy. Powerful interests will strongly oppose it, because they profit immensely from the status quo. Right wing forces will unleash false attack ads ranting against socialized medicine and government-run health care.

But those attacks are a generation out of date - retreads of the failed campaign that delayed Medicare in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, we are immunized against such attacks by the obvious success of Medicare. It is long past time to extend that success to all.

[Dr.Phool]

2. I hadn't heard of Kennedy's plan

But it sounds the same.

[leftstreet]

3. I wish Pelosi would send Ted on corporate 'news' to talk about his plan

Talk about changing the talking points! It'd be great to see people debating HOW we should approach universal coverage, rather than IF. (Or, in the case of the corporate media - just ignoring it.)