6/22 : Why is everyone talking about a Single Payer Health Plan?

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

A single payer system is publicly funded health care, privately delivered. Legislation in Congress and in the Massachusetts legislature would establish universal comprehensive coverage at a lower cost than the current patchwork of public and private plans.

On Monday, June 22, Dr. Rachel Nardin, President of the Mass. chapter of Physicians for a National Health Plan, will present information about Single Payer and a community discussion will follow at the Somerville Library (Main Branch) at 7 PM.

According to a recent report (pdf) by the city of Somerville, health care costs currently account for about 15% of the municipal budget and are out-pacing growth in revenues. A single payer plan would lift this burden, allowing cities like Somerville to maintain threatened services such as education, police, fire and libraries.

SMUJP is supporting the campaign for a single payer health plan because we believe that quality health care for all is necessary for communities to become peaceful and prosperous. For more information, contact kcloud@rcn.com or call 617-776-4704.

This event is co-sponsored by:

• Somerville/Medford United for Justice with Peace (SMUJP) [main organizer]
• Somerville Teachers Association
• Jobs with Justice Health Care Action Committee
• Other cosponsors welcome!

We hope to see you there!

Comments

[turil.livejournal.com]

As long as it's not mandatory, it's ok. I've found most in the medical industry care more about money than actual health, and tend to just throw drugs at people, rather than actually understand the causes behind illness (so that they can alleviate the problem, rather than "manage" the symptoms). In other words, as long as I'm not forced to pay for "insurance" (extortion) that I don't want (like Massachusetts requires now), I'm ok with whatever other people want to do.

Though I'd rather have a straight out government health care, and not mess around with tons of random private groups that may be run by organizations on a mission (I can imagine that some folks might not be too happy if the only available private insurance company in your region was run by Scientologists, for example). At least in government there is a reasonable chance of transparency and accountability (legally, anyway) that doesn't exist in the private sector.

Solution

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Leave MA. I'm sure Alabama would love to have you there.

Re: Solution

[turil.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you know something's pretty messed up when Alabama is more liberal than Massachusetts!

Look, SS contribs are mandatory....

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't contributions for health care, as in many other countries? I'm not in favor of the current MA system, where I'm forced to subsidize parasitic health insurance companies. But if these are taken out of the picture, that is another story. I'd be happy if some of my taxes went to finance a single payer system, and I don't have to worry about where I'm going to get my health insurance if my employers kicks me out, or if my small business fails.

Re: Look, SS contribs are mandatory....

[turil.livejournal.com]

Which is why I prefer a government run system. At least then we have some control over our investment (taxes). With a private system, you add a middleman who isn't necessarily responsible to the public.

Re: Look, SS contribs are mandatory....

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Is it clear that the Single Payer system they are talking about would not be government run?

Re: Look, SS contribs are mandatory....

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

It is government-run.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Is this good and what are the other options for healthcare if it is not?

yes it's good

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

Here are two good resources to learn more about Single Payer : www.MassCare.org and www.HealthCare-Now.org .

Other options include:
(a) sticking with the broken status quo system that leaves millions of Americans without adequate health care and bankrupts families, businesses, and governments
(b) offering a public plan to compete with the private health insurance companies. Either the public plan would be so good it would win out (leading to Single Payer in the end), or it would be not-good-enough and then very little will change.

Is that at 79 Highland Ave?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Re: Is that at 79 Highland Ave?

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

yes, that is the library's address. it's near the high school and city hall

Re: Is that at 79 Highland Ave?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll probably go. Ever heard Rachel speak before? Is it worth it? I'm more curious to see the following discussion, actually.

Re: Is that at 79 Highland Ave?

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard her speak before, but I promise it will be worth it. I hope to see you there!