Urgent: The Single Payer Moment Is Now, If Only We Speak Out

[Hissyspit]

From People's Email Network (PEN):

We have a new "Single Payer Health Care" cap to mobilize the final
push for real health care reform. But first ...

Last night at his prime time health care news conference, President
Obama finally admitted what we have known all along.

"I want to cover everybody. Now, the truth is that unless you have a
-- what's called a single-payer system, in which everybody's
automatically covered, then you're probably not going to reach every
single individual."

There it is folks. Only single payer can fix the ills with our health
care system. He also talked about the critical importance of
"eliminating waste". Only single payer effectively does that, by
cutting out the massive overhead waste (31%) by paper churning
insurance industry bureaucrats, who line their own pockets to provide
LESS health care with the available resources.

Single Payer Action Page: http://www.peaceteam.net/action/pnum998.php

This is the single payer moment. We have enough Democrats alone to
pass it. So why hasn't it been signed into law yet?

Why not a single payer system? Because the big insurance and drug
companies don't want that? Oh, really?? What about what we the people
want? What about what would be best for America? We need to tell our
members of Congress what we want, keep telling them, and remind them
that we told them.

And yes, you can also respond to this action through the new Twitter
gateway. Just send the following Twitter reply, and add any personal
comment you like.

@cxs #p998

And if you want a step by step explanation of how to set up the
Twitter thing here is the link for that.

Twitter Activism Step-By-Step: http://tcxs.net/step_by_step.php

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed
to be ours, and forward this alert as widely as possible.

[babylonsister]

1. Hmmm. To me,

this is like rooting for Kucinich vs. Obama in January 2008. I knew who wouldn't win, but didn't know who might.


Single payer has no future, at this time. Hopefully in the future it will, but in the meantime...

I'll be advocating for the public option, like the progressive Dems in the House are doing.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

2. May as well

head off to the slaughter.

"In the meantime" means many thousands of deaths.

What's it gonna take?

Amazing.

[nosmokes]

3. haven't enough folks been screwed over or killed already by lack of coverage?

NO SINGLE PAYER NO SINGLE VOTE.

Let's get the unnecessary parasitical health insurance out of the picture.

[Lorien]

4. That's what I'm fighting for. Screw the rest.

If not now, NEVER.

[stuball111]

6. in the "meantime" read this:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

It has lots of "meantimes" and they will be mean for millions... it is a band aid on a chopped off arm... and BTW when will a Universal Health Care bill have a future if it's not even implemented? "Public Option" is doublespeak for "Appeasing those who rob you and meanwhile, let you die....

[maryf]

12. "Public Option" is doublespeak for "Appeasing those who rob you

and meanwhile, let you die...." Great line!! and thanks for the link...:)

[KharmaTrain]

15. Great Point, Sis...

As you see, posting there won't be free ice cream and ponies gets you a lot of critics on here. You're just stating the obvious...those who want any reform, want coverage for all (and no it won't be full coverage...single payer wouldn't either) they better get in their Congresscritters and Senators faces now and constantly while they're on their "vacation".

As has been the case in other issues, there are those who want to replace right wing policies with those on the left...and bitch at people like you and me when we point out the political realities. Many don't understand how this process works and expect President Obama to govern by fiat (ironically some of the same people who were boooshie's biggest critics for doing exactly that).

[babylonsister]

20. It's odd that it's verboten to discuss on a discussion

board. :crazy:

And I know what they say about opinions, but we're all entitled.

Thanks for expressing yours, KT!

:hi:

[KharmaTrain]

21. The Sad Consequences...

Instead of people coming together to solve a problem we can all benefit from, groups have staked out their turf...right and left and have polarized and all but ruined this process. Nope, there's no discussing...it's either/or.

:hi:

[stuball111]

22. Yes, she stated the obvious but

Does it hurt to dream a little?

"You may say I'm a dreamer...
But I'm not the only one..
I hope some day you'll join us..
nd the world will be as one." J.Lennon

[KharmaTrain]

24. Nothing Wrong With It At All...

Actually I hope that this debate and those that want single payer will learn from this experience. I also like Congressman Kucinich's suggestion to work on getting single-payer approved on a state level...more localized and tailored to budget and needs.

Dreams can lead to big things...I've been fortunate to make some of mine happen. My point is not the obvious as much as what's currently possible and hoping for single-payer when it's not even in the game is asking to be mad and frustrated...and take away from those humping real hard for public option or any true reform.

Cheers...

[stuball111]

25. well said.

Creates a balance here when we debate these issues, and I was disappointed to see that single payer wasn't in the bill. Kucinich is absolutely right in his approach, and it makes a whole lot of sense. Bring it in slowly state by state, and when people see how well it works, they will want it too. I think we all realize that it can't happen over night unless the Democrats find a way to cram it down our throats, but the fact is, it took years to get it fully universal in Canada. That was Tommy Douglas's approach, and he knew that.Eventually, single payer will be administered by the States anyway, so it's an excellent idea.Good thing we all keep each other in reality...

[maryf]

30. Yep, burn those tootsies...

I'll be at my congressperson's office next week, and not just about single payer, but lack of housing, education, and the military occupations that are taking all the money away from those things!!

[TreasonousBastard]

23. I agree, and I'm always the bad guy for mentioning that...

we've got a three trillion dollar medical segment in our economy, and no one in power is going to turn it upside down because of some pie-in-the-sky teachins, petitions, and guesswork. As bad as the current mess is, even if single payer were possible in the current political climate no one really knows if it would work or not.

Excuse me if I don't buy a simple solution to such a huge problem.

Right now, we've got obstructionists trying to stop any reform, seniors being told they will be euthanized, healthy young people being told they will be forced to buy insurance, and everyone throwing numbers around and telling their favorite horror stories about how insurance companies and Canadian and British national plans are killing people.

Regulation of health insurers and the public option are really the only hope at this point, and even they are in doubt.

[kentuck]

5. Barack Obama is a fairly good poker player...

If enough people were in the streets calling for single payer, and got attention on the national media, I'm not so sure that Obama would not support a single payer system? All along, he has thought it was impossible to call it a "single-payer" and get it passed. But if "single-payer" issue could get something passed, it would be the first step necessary to get the ball rolling. Once the ball is rolling, he can throw in all the chips. First of all, he has to show the cowardly Democrats in the Senate that there is not a political price to pay for supporting health care for all our people. But, maybe not?

[stuball111]

7. Good point...

I think he's a good poker player, and I still think he's got what it takes up his sleeve to do it (UHC) and he KNOWS the people are behind him. I think he's gonna keep his pen in his pocket until they come up with a single payer option to sign.HE could be the Greatest American ever by bringing in UHC, like Tommy Douglas up in Canada.Thing is,people don't have the foresight to see what it would do for this great nation. Healthy people FROM BIRTH = a healthy, productive society= prosperity=lower costs in health care= better economy. But the way this system is set up it's instant gratification, gimme my millions and fuck the rest.

[Joe the Liberal]

8. I think we will get single payer but it won't be for a long time....

Insurance companies and corporations are far too entrenched here for any real and long lasting change to happen. Like always the US is the last to get with the program, every other civilized country has things like health care long before it's even up for debate in this country.

[1]

9. the "single payer" movement is deader than dead...

there is no "single payer" movement. there will not be a "single payer" law passed by this congress.

not in this congress. perhaps not ever.

you get that, right?

[ipaint]

10. That doesn't mean single payer folks

are going to shut up and not point out we are going to get screwed badly by congress again.

[1]

11. keep on keeping on, my single payer buds. fight the good fight...

[maryf]

13. NO MOVEMENT???

tell that to the millions involved here: (edit to fix link)

http://www.healthcare-now.org/petition/endorse/
Endorse HR 676

Inspired to make this my own OP here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6147108&mesg_id=6147108

Thanks for the inspiration!!

[KharmaTrain]

14. Then They Better All Have Their Asses on DC and Pronto

I'd like free ice cream and I'll bet I could get millions to sign on, but little good that does if your sitting around while the real dealmaking is going on.

Those supporting single payer need to do more than sign petitions and bitch on websites.

As the other poster said, single payer on the federal level is deader than a doornail right now. It's best hope is on the state level. There are many who don't trust the governement to be the gatekeeper of health care any more than they trust the insurance companies.

[maryf]

16. Who's bitching??

I have handed out fliers at events in the area, lobbied at my state capital, am going to the Rally in DC on thursday, and calls in to see my representatives while there, have helped plan our bus from this area, I am going to a workshop in NYC today, I have talked to a board member at the school district I teach about signing on, my local union too, I try to educate as much as I can, including here, but elsewhere too...what have you done lately besides bitch?

[KharmaTrain]

17. Read All The Posts Here...

Sorry if I missed those who are working the phones, hitting the streets and trying to get into the faces of their Congresscritters. But I also see many here who are all or nothing but complain...not open to discussion...it's all or nothing. And with that attitude, they will get nothing. It also discounts the hard work those, like you, are doing to make something happen. Yes, there are those here who are oblivious to the political system and how legislation is crafted and passed.

Ane yes, I am doing something. I'm strongly in favor of Public Option and already have dates circled on my calendar when my Blue Dog Congresscritter is holding town halls in the coming weeks...and I and several dozen local Democrats will be there as well. We helped her get elected, now it's time for her to deliver for us. She knows many of us as we've worked on her campaigns...I want her to look into the eyes of those who have no coverage and justify her position.

I applaud you for your work...the grassroots is how we have helped change this country.

Cheers...

[maryf]

18. Thanks!!

Glad to hear you are active, please read this regarding public option, it started out well, but really is counter to the people and helping the insurance industry, its long but please read:
gotta run!! Cheers to you!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6120089

[maryf]

33. Oh btw...Pronto asses will be in DC this Thursday

There will be a Rally in DC thursday July 30th to celebrate Medicare's 44th anniversary, and to lobby and shout for single payer!! details here: http://www.healthcare-now.org

on edit, I see I mentioned it here already, but gotta keep ranting!! :)

[maryf]

19. K&R

Thanks!!

[nosmokes]

26. We all need to sign this petition and go even further...

Start calling your congress critters every day and letting them know that they aren't getting your vote unless they get out front on SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL COVERAGE. We know it works and that it is by far the most efficient and cost effective method.

THAT IS A FACT.

[omega minimo]

27. REC +16 Let's DU this! Thanks Hissyspit!!!

:kick:
:kick:

[madfloridian]

28. Hissyspit: Question: Do you agree with telling congress not to vote for the public option?

That is what PNHP's Himmelstein has done.

http://blog.pdamerica.org/2009/07/on-single-payer-himmelstein-says-howard-dean-is-a-liar/

And do you agree with attacking and harassing those who support the public option?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=342479&mesg_id=342479

Just wondering.

[omega minimo]

31. .

[Hissyspit]

32. Not necessarily.

I agree with what Dr. Himmelstein says for the most part (although I would not use the word liar against Dr. Dean). I don't think the public option should be voted against at this point, dependent, as you said, on what is actually in the final bills, but it's starting to look really stinky to me. I understand that everyone is very frustrated, but the process is ongoing. The PDA site has this article: http://blog.pdamerica.org/2009/07/the-selling-of-single-payer-features There is also this.

and DUer truedelphi posted about the phenomenon about which I would be very concerned:

truedelphi (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-26-09 01:34 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. Look to Massachusetts and see what happens when the insurance "Providers" are left in the loop, so that then the people like you and I (or our employers) have to foot an impossibly expensive bill, the entire proposal ends up becoming unpopular and starts to sink.

Clearly the people at the Dean book-signing should have waited until the Q/A period.

[spanone]

29. k&r....

[nosmokes]

34. kick

[nosmokes]

35. kick