Progressives press ahead with single-payer health (Ted Kennedy, this is what you should push)

[antigop]

http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/progressives-press-ahead-with-single.html

A group of progressive Democrats wants to advance single-payer based healthcare reform, particularly HR 676, which is a bill the organization has been advocating this year.

Leaders of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) say they have just concluded meetings in Washington to urge passage of HR 676 "or some form of single-payer healthcare," according to an email from Tim Carpenter and Laura Bonham of PDA.

"We also met with Terry Lierman, Chief of Staff for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; Chris Philbin, Rep. Jim McGovern's Chief of Staff; and Rep. Raul Grijalva's Senior Policy Advisor Glenn Miller to discuss the advancement of H.R. 676 in the next Congress," the email says.

PDA cites the election of President-elect Barack Obama as reason for optimism about approval of a single-payer national health plan.

"With Barack Obama about to assume the presidency and take up the healthcare issue, leaders of single-payer healthcare organizations met for two days, November 11 - 12, at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.," PDA says on its website.

"Concern was expressed that a plan similar to the Massachusetts health plan will be offered by Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, which could pass out of respect for his service in the Senate," PDA says.

Ted, HR 676 is the way to go. Introduce a Senate version of the bill.

[Bake]

1. It really is time for single-payer in this country.

Big business has, on occasion, expressed some support for it. The time has come. It would be GOOD for everyone.

Bake