Defending Single-Payer.

[white_wolf]

Hey I'm giving a persuasive speech in a business communication class on defending single-payer health care as opposed to our current systems. I should note my professor seems to be a fairly conservative capitalist type. He is constantly calling Obama's system Obamacare and stuff like that. Anyway the three main points I know of against it are 1. The cost. 2. Its socialism. I'm not even sure I want to address that one as it should be obvious single-payer isn't socialism, but maybe I should just to be safe.3. The decline in quality of health care. If anyone has any good sources for refuting those three claims I would really appreciate it. I'm planning on using the World Health Organization's ranking of various countries as well.

[Cleita]

1. Go to the website

Physicians For a National Health Program. http://www.pnhp.org/

Everything that has been written or discussed on single payer national health care is there. Read everything and your professor will have nothing to debunk ever.

[daa]

2. Start here

http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=2610

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Don't forget to humanize the issue

People in this nation live diminished and shortened lives and face bankruptcy everyday because of our healthcare system - and that need not be a result of their own culpability. One can find themselves in that position simply because they were injured by an uninsured driver..

Also, don't forget to mention that the cost of health insurance to US businesses for their employees is a competitive disadvantage. Competitors in single-payer countries don't have to pay health insurance costs.

Good luck.

[snowpup]

4. Call a case manager for an interview

If you have time, call a public health office or social services agency that provides financial case management services and talk to them about clients who can be covered under Veteran's, MC, MA, and/or other local programs all at the same time, and the duplication in billing and administrative resources. I do not know the current situation, but way back in 1982 there was work on what was then called "Universal Billing form 1982 or UB-82". Instead of being implemented, though, HMO's took over. It would be nice if you would post a copy of your speech and impressions.

Good luck to you.