"A single-payer health care plan. Universal Health Care Plan. That's what I'd like to see."
In 2003, Senator Barack Obama addressed the AFL-CIO 'CIVIL, HUMAN, and WOMEN'S RIGHTS' Conference. In his 2003 speech, Obama said, “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer health care program. I see no reason why the United States of America the wealthiest country in the history of the world … cannot provide basic health insurance to everybody … . A single-payer health care plan, a universal health care plan. And that’s what I’d like to see."
And then, a funny thing happened on the way to the nomination. On January, 22, during a CNN Democratic debate, Senator Obama stated, "I never said that we should try to go ahead and get single-payer [health insurance system]. What I said was that if I were starting from scratch, if we didn't have a system in which employers had typically provided health care, I would probably go with a single-payer system."
Tonight, Senator Obama, who now apparently will have enough delegates to win the Democratic Party nomination for President stated, "America, this is our moment." "This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past."
Message to Senator Obama: We are starting from scratch.
As more and more employers are reducing or dropping coverage altogether from their benefit packages, we can't make the fundamental mistake of confusing insurance with health care. As many Americans have learned, the two are not the same. One need look no further for the evidence of that than to read the 'healthcare horror stories' included on this site.
According to Dr. Marcia Angell, (senior lecturer on social medicine at the Harvard Medical School and former editor-in-chief of The New England Journal of Medicine) Health insurance can easily be too skimpy or too laden with exceptions and co-charges to be of much use. "What people really want when they’re sick is medical care, not medical insurance, just as they want education for their children, not the opportunity to buy education insurance."
Where there's hope, there's fire. Now, let's all go out there and hold not only his feet to the fire, but those of every politician. We need a single-payer healthcare plan; a universal healthcare plan; that's what we'd like to see!
- DeAnn McEwen RN's blog
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Let's watch the health insurance stocks
Great post and video.
What I'll be watching is the reaction on the stock market for the major health insurance companies to the nominations. If we "follow the money" we'll see if those corporations are worried long-term about any serious challenges to their standing or if they expect boosts in their customer bases.
And then we'll have to exert the kind of pressures they can feel -- pressures that might impact their bottom lines.
...and the donors to the campaign!
I appreciate your insight on this. Time to look at my little retirement account; I don't want them to be using my nest egg against me. Messy business, and not in our best interest in terms of healthcare.
We need to follow the money as it pours into financing the campaign as well. We can't afford to have any more "golden ticket" holders buying their way into government, and using it for the exclusive benefit of the corporations.
"We commit ourselves to any wrong or degradation or injury when we do not protest against it." Lillian Wald,(1867-1940), American Social Reformer/Founder Public Health Nursing
Obama hinted last night (6/3): Hillary would be very involved
in getting America health insurance for all. "Oh NO!" I moaned out loud.
We have a lot of work to do to convince America that they want HR 676. I believe that if the bill came to Obama, he'd sign it.
Health care for all. NOW. No excuses.www.nurseconscience.blogspot.com
Building the Fire under their Feet"
Congradulations to Senator Barack Obama on his nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. I believe that Senator Obama, on the campaign trail, said that mandates to force citizens to buy health insurance was wrong and there is a video that appeared on our website at CNA/NNOC to that effect. Who ever will eventually sit in the White House in January of 2009, I know that the nurses of CNA/NNOC will be there to help build the movement to support and pass HR 676 nationally. I want to help build the fire under our elected's feet when it comes to health care to make sure they pass single-payer not more unaffordable health insurance. If we are really serious about constructive, workable, accessible and JUST health care in our nation and want real CHANGE then a Medicare for ALL system is the best. In addition , if WE really believe in "YES, WE CAN" as something more than a nice slogan, then I have no doubt that WE can pass HR 676 in the coming two years. As nurses , we have the power and smarts to help build the fire under their feet and keep them accountable when it comes to health care reform.
Nancy Lewis, RN FNP