Single payer: Don't give up the fight

From Physicians for a National Health Program:

This fall presents a historic opportunity for members of Congress to go on the record in support of single-payer legislation.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) is introducing a substitute amendment to the House leadership’s bill, H.R. 3200, that would delete the language of that bill and substitute the provisions of H.R. 676, the single-payer, Medicare-for-All bill sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised a full floor vote on Weiner’s amendment in the weeks or months ahead.

The Weiner amendment, unlike the House leadership’s bill, assures universal, comprehensive, and high-quality coverage, free choice of doctor and hospital, and no co-pays or deductibles through a publicly financed system similar to Medicare. Because of the massive savings on private insurance overhead and paperwork, the Weiner amendment would entail no increase in U.S. health spending, in contrast to the House bill’s $1 trillion price tag over 10 years.

Write your representative today in support of the Weiner amendment. If you can, arrange a meeting with your congressperson; you can find tips on how to do so here and talking points here. Finally, please write to Rep. Weiner so he knows that he has our support in his fight for real health reform.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) successfully offered an amendment to the House leadership’s bill that, if incorporated into final legislation passed by the Congress and signed by the president, would allow states to adopt their own single-payer system if they chose to do so. Specifically, Kucinich’s amendment would waive certain ERISA provisions that could be used to obstruct such a move.

While PNHP works for a national single-payer program, and while we more specifically supports the passage of H.R. 676, we welcome any efforts to move toward single payer. We therefore encourage you to write your representative today in support of the Kucinich amendment.