A sweet summary of why we need USP health care
From Dissident Voice comes a well written treatise discussing each aspect of Medicare for all with a mantra of (what else?) “Yes We Can”. In response to comments evolving from my recent post, The truth about HR676, I offer this up to those who feel that single payer is unrealistic in the current climate.
Even with health insurance, many Americans are a medical crisis away from bankruptcy. Research shows 62 percent of all bankruptcies in 2007 were medical, a share up 50 percent since 2001. Most of the medically bankrupt had health insurance — the kind insuring profits, not health care.
Health insurance executives don’t worry about going bankrupt from getting sick. Forbes reports that CIGNA’s CEO made $121 million in the last five years and Humana’s CEO made $57 million.
Locally, you can find the list of Excellus employees who’s gross salary (2008) was $200,ooo or more, starting with David Klein, CEO at$2.73 million. What are they producing? - Nothing. They are being paid to transfer money from one entity to another and their highest profits come from NOT transferring money, ie- denying claims.
Now, I’m not anti-capitalism, but at some point, social responsibility has to be recognized, and capitalism from profiting off people’s misfortune and illness is it’s antithesis.
Health industry lobbyists and campaign contributors have gotten between you and your congressperson so they can keep getting between you and your doctor. There are 3,098 health sector lobbyists swarming Capitol Hill — nearly six for every member of Congress.
As Business Week put it in August, “Health insurers are winning.” They “have succeeded in redefining the terms of the reform debate to such a degree that no matter what specifics emerge in the voluminous bill Congress may send to President Obama this fall, the insurance industry will emerge more profitable.”
This is exactly why we have to unite for single payer. There are all kinds of organizations endorsing HR 676, but how to pull them all together into one unified body with a voice that can’t be silenced by the money changers? Can this be accomplished starting with the interwebs? How about HR676.org? Our local PDA, Genesee Valley Chapter may be able to direct you.
Single payer. It’s as unrealistic as a bi-racial US president.
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