Single Payer Healthcare Deafening Silence In the Media
The media has been deafeningly silent on single payer insurance. It is imperative that the media explore the details of single payer insurance in order for citizens to get factual and unbiased information.
As citizens we must also ensure that Congress understand that we are aware that 60% of Americans want some sort of universal healthcare. We must bombard all avenues including blogs, chatrooms, call in programs, TV stations, radio stations (conservative and liberal) constantly and effectively daily, hourly to provide the logical reason we support a single payer healthcare insurance as well as detail the failures of for profit health insurance.
Contact your specific senator and congressperson and the specific representatives listed below.
Call frequently. Call them and let them know we want single payer. I am doing this everyday with many others.
Please do your part as this is for us all.
Waxman - (202) 225-3976 (DC) (310) 652-3095, (818) 878-7400, (323) 651-1040 (LA).
Rangel - 202-225-4365 (DC), 212-663-3900 (NY)
Miller - 202-225-2095(DC), 925-602-1880, 510-262-6500, 707-645-1888
http://SinglePayerHealthcareNow.com
Single-payer is a non-starter.
First, what happens to the employees of the health insurance companies, who easily outnumber GM and Chrysler employees together? United Health Care, for example, has 75,000 employees, and there are a number of companies in the 25,000 to 50,000 employee range.
Second, there is a huge establishment of brokers, consultants, benefits specialists, etc., many privately owned by politically influential people who also have very large payrolls.
Third, there are any number of HR people in companies who owe their jobs to the current employer-provided health insurance system.
Lastly, there are vast numbers of adminstrative personnel in hospitals, clinics, testing labs, doctor's offices,etc. who all owe their jobs to the adminstrative overhead of the current multi-payer insurance system.
These overwhelmingly administrative/clerical positions provide a great deal of employment for semi-skilled women.
May 26, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I understand that the displacement of jobs will be painful for those employed in this sector. My question is rather, could we not take the money that is being used to fund these essentially 'unproductive' revenue streams into more productive jobs and programs, rather than continuing to funnel money into the maw of this beast?
May 27, 2009 2:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, but since it would change 16% of the US economy, the transition needs to be carefully thought out. This includes considering how to re-employ the displaced workers.
May 27, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are absolutely right! Keep banging the drum!
May 26, 2009 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am all for a plan that is reasonable and rational plan that allows all Americans to gain access to healthcare. A single payer plan may not work for lots of reasons, but a mixture of plans to include the private sector may work, but only if the private insurer's will be required not to cherry-pick who they will insure.
There seems to be disconnect between what the private insurer's want to offer: reduced costs, but no discussion about the deductibles or levels of healthcare that will be covered. As we haven't seen the government's plan, attacking it seems like a made for media event.
I would prefer to NOT SEE individual cases as examples of good or bad healthcare, a snapshot never provides sufficient information to make an informed decision. In a world where soundbites are considered sufficient information upon which to make a decision is both a slam on the news presenters and the public who do not demand more.
The Obama Administration's plan for healthcare reform needs to be evaluated by each of us...once it is released....but for now, listening to the right-wing fear mongering ads, is just another instance of them trying to control the conversation...from my POV, they are complaining about an unknown...will Americans take this bait or are they smart enough to be patient? Only time will tell...and then we do need to contact legislators to tell them our opinion!
May 27, 2009 8:24 AM | Reply | Permalink