Here is more from the HCAN Rally last Thursday - On the surface,  this is simply a video of Rep Charlie Rangel speaking at a Health Care rally but in reality it is more - much more - it really shows that the various Health Care reformers are on the same side - and a single payer system is a major improvement to the system.

In this 3 minute clip -

Rep Rangel emphatically states that Health Care is a right.  He goes on to praise the trade union movement by stating that is was the trade unions that got benefits for workers - not management.  Then he states that we are going to get health care reform and he has been ‘Championing Single Payer.” Of course the crowd roars its approval. Then he equates Health Care reform to the the Civil rights movement.

Ok, let’s back up - Single Payer at an HCAN rally?  HCAN is not against a “single payer system” but not actively pursing it either.  They are more focused on the undefined “public option.”   There is a broad set of principles that state what they want.  All of which can easily be solved by a single payer system/option but HCAN is focusing on what is “politically practical” with the hopes of getting something “better” later.

This is yet an other example of the fact that “we” are on the same side but have different ways to get there.

As I see it there are four options:

Option 1 -  replace the current system with a brand new single payer system.  Publicly financed, Privately Delivered (Government run, private doctors).  Not a lot of room for the private insurance companies or Big Pharma (or the donations they give our elected officials either)

Option 2 - There are those who want that single payer system as the Public option.    A single Payer system that people can opt into (or keep their existing private insurance coverage).

Option 3 - There are those who just want a public option.  Don’t know exactly what that is but a “public option”. as defined by Congress.

Option 4 - Status quo - the Insurance companies says we will lower or rates, cut our costs and pass the savings on to the American public.

Me?  I want the first option.  I’ll settle for the second option and am leery of anything that is ill-defined like a “public option”.   The failed Massachusetts plan for example, or the Co-ops, or some kludgy Amtrak system where the government heavily subsidizes it but delegates control to those who have a vested interest in ensuring it doesn’t conflict with their core business.  (think Amtrak and CSX).

So a speaker who was on stage advocating a single payer system,  This system can be option 1 or 2 and is in line with what HCAN is looking for. How cool is that.

Related posts:

1. Peter Mott, MD - Why single payer and not public option
2. Defining Single Payer vs Public Option
3. Rerun: Baucus says “NO” to Single-Payer
4. Single-payer, Single-payer, Single-payer
5. Lack of support for Universal, Single-payer, Health Care reform will cost Senators dearly.