There has been a discussion on a local blog, OlyBlog, whether we should support the current health care legislation even though it is flawed. This is what I posted. today, November 9, 2009.<\/p>\n
With regards to the recent discussion on health-care, as we all know, the current health care system is dysfunctional\u201450 million uninsured, many millions more,\u00a0 under-insured. Millions can\u2019t afford insurance or get turned down for needed health-care. The profits of the pharmaceuticals, the health insurance companies are obscene as are salaries of top hospital officials, many doctors and other executives in this health for profit system. \u00a0In any good system, health care would be a human right and no one would get rich or profit of other people\u2019s health needs. To me, in addition to single payer health care, it would include a greatly expanded system of public and free clinics that are public and\/or non-profit but paid for by the government and financed by higher taxes on high income people. \u00a0It should cover immigrants, reproductive health including abortion, dental and vision care, mental health and modern as well as alternative medicine.<\/p>\n
The bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday, November 6th<\/sup> by five votes is clearly not that. This bill,\u00a0 if it \u00a0became law, \u00a0would increase coverage for low income people by expanding Medicaid and provide some subsidies for insurance premiums for working class people and that is certainly positive. So are penalties for employers who do not provide health insurance although they should be larger. The requirement that insurance companies provide health insurance to those with prior conditions is a step in the right direction. \u00a0However, because of the very limited controls on what insurance companies will be able to charge and the limited public option, \u00a0it \u00a0will \u00a0keep health care insurance extremely expensive and unaffordable to many, and \u00a0lead to big increases in insurance company and pharmaceutical profits.<\/p>\n Olympia Single Payer Action (OSPA) took the position that we would oppose a bill that did not have the option for States to have a single payer plan, the Kucinich amendment. The reasoning was that only single payer has the possibility of providing affordable and quality health care for all. The question is how we get to single payer, which is a strategic and tactical question. It is imperative that we explain in easy to understand language the concept of a single payer system and that we advocate for and build a powerful movement for health care as a human right for all<\/strong>. \u00a0To advocate for less than this guarantees we will get less. Our main task should be\u00a0 building a strong and growing movement. We have not done that yet. However, that 49% of the U.S. population, according to Phil Owen on OlyBlog, already support single payer is incredibly high, given the absence of this position in the mainstream media and by most politicians. I am sure it means far less than 49% are opposed to a single payer plan \u00a0as many are unsure or undecided. \u00a0It shows the potential of getting a large majority in favor of real health care reform.<\/p>\n Olympia Single Payer Action (OSPA) is focusing on building a movement for single payer with a possible state wide initiative in the not too distant future. Possibly, on the bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives 0n November 6th<\/sup>, our position should have been slightly different than what it was: \u00a0that we, OSPA, would only support<\/strong> a bill that permitted States to have a single payer option. Will the current bill if passed be a step towards quality and affordable health care for all or will it foreclose the possibility of major and needed future reform? \u00a0I do not know.<\/p>\n Advocating for fundamental changes in health care and not supporting the bill that passed the House does not mean lack of concern for the poor. It means concluding that now \u00a0is a very good time, because health care reform is being debated, to make visible and advocate for and organize for quality health care as a basic right, and for \u00a0a system that could really improve health care for all but especially for poor people. Peter Bohmer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There has been a discussion on a local blog, OlyBlog, whether we should support the current health care legislation even though it is flawed. This is what I posted. today, November 9, 2009. With regards to the recent discussion on health-care, as we all know, the current health care system is dysfunctional\u201450 million uninsured, many … Continue reading Reflection on Health Care Legislation<\/span>