PDF Some recent bright spots did shine through among the depressing election results this past week.
In Massachusetts, voters and docs expressed support for a single payer solution to the continuing health care crisis.
Fall in New England
Massachusetts is the state that gave us the Connector – the model for the Affordable Care Act that is now the target of the anti-incumbent horde that is invading Washington DC.
I have noted here before that the Massachusetts model might have been an acceptable state model given the restrictions that federal law imposes on the ability of states to be truly innovative with health care reform.
An individual mandate might even work in a state with a high level of income and a low rate of uninsured.
Voters are also patients
As a model for federal reform, it is flawed. To think it might work in Mississippi or Texas is disastrous.
Some Massachusetts voters had the opportunity to express a view in their own state. A non-binding question appeared on the ballot in 14 Massachusetts state representative districts.
The question:
“Shall the representative from this district be instructed to support legislation that would establish health care as a human right regardless of age, state of health or employment status, by creating a single payer health insurance system like Medicare that is comprehensive, cost effective, and publicly provided to all residents of Massachusetts?“
The question received overwhelming support, passing in all fourteen districts by an average of 63%. Five of those districts voted for Scott Brown, whose election supposedly signaled an anti health care reform sentiment. Even together with the ten districts that approved a similar measure in 2008 in Massachusetts, the measure has a long road to travel.
Docs too
Meanwhile doctors in Massachusetts were also asked their opinions about the state’s health care reform. In their annual Workforce Survey the Massachusetts Medical Society asked physicians to choose among four health reform options.
The largest number, 34%, chose a single payer option; followed closely, 32%, by those who prefer a public-private mix with a “public option.
Two thirds of doctors in Massachusetts chose a health reform option that went beyond that proposed by the Affordable Care Act. Only 14% chose their own state’s model, with the balance, 17%, opting for the status quo.
Those who criticize the President and the Democrats for not listening to their public are right. These voices represent patients and doctors – the two constituencies that a health care system is supposed to serve. When not encumbered by media distortions funded by the profit making centers of the health care industry – insurance companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers at the top of the list – patients and even doctors come down on the side of a rational and pragmatic approach to funding and delivering health care –single payer.
Physicians for a National Health Plan explored this distortion and misrepresentation of survey data in much more depth in a series of article on their web site.
And in Vermont
Another encouraging development on the healthcare front is the election of Peter Shumlin as governor of Vermont. A single payer system in Vermont was one of the top issues in that gubernatorial campaign. Curiously the debate focused more on the practicalities of implementing a single payer system in Vermont rather that the ideological bent that characterizes those discussions elsewhere.
Sanity can prevail.
Is Washington listening?
START NOW!
As you all know. Had congress passed a government-run robust Public Option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one, our economy and jobs would have taken off like a rocket. And still will.
The message from these midterm elections is clear. The American people want real healthcare reform. They want that individual mandate requiring them to buy private health insurance abolished. And they want a government-run robust public option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one. And they want it now.
They want Drug re-importation, and abolishment or strong restrictions on patents for biologic and prescription drugs. And government controlled and negotiated drug and medical cost. They want back control of their healthcare system from the Medical Industrial Complex. And they want it NOW!
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT AND MUST NOT ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL MANDATE TO STAND WITHOUT A STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE! AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
For profit health insurance is extremely unethical, and morally repugnant. It’s as morally repugnant as slavery was. And few if any decent Americans are going to allow them-self to be compelled to support such an unethical and immoral crime against humanity.
This is a matter of National and Global security. There can be NO MORE EXCUSES.
Further, we want that corrupt, undemocratic filibuster abolished. Whats the point of an election if one corrupt member of congress can block the will of the people, and any legislation the majority wants. And do it in secret. Give me a break people.
Also, unemployment healthcare benefits are critically needed. But they should be provided through the Medicare program at cost, less the 65% government premium subsidy provided now to private for profit health insurance.
Congress should stop wasting hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money on private for profit health insurance subsidies. Subsidies that cost the taxpayer 10x as much or more than Medicare does. Private for profit health insurance plans cost more. But provide dangerous and poorer quality patient care.
Republicans: GET RID OF THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE.
Democrats: ADD A ROBUST GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION TO HEALTHCARE REFORM.
This is what the American people are shouting at you. Both parties have just enough power now to do what the American people want. GET! IT! DONE! NOW!
If congress does not abolish the individual mandate. And establish a government-run public option CHOICE! before the end of 2011. EVERY! member of congress up for reelection in 2012 will face strong progressive pro public option, and anti-individual mandate replacement candidates.
Strong progressive pro “PUBLIC OPTION” CHOICE! and anti-individual mandate volunteer candidates should begin now. And start the process of replacing any and all members of congress that obstruct, or fail to add a government-run robust PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE! before the end of 2011.
We need two or three very strong progressive volunteer candidates for every member of congress that will be up for reelection in 2012. You should be fully prepared to politically EVISCERATE EVERY INCUMBENT that fails or obstructs “THE PUBLIC OPTION”. And you should be willing to step aside and support the strongest pro “PUBLIC OPTION” candidate if the need arises.
ASSUME CONGRESS WILL FAIL and SELLOUT again. So start preparing now to CUT THEIR POLITICAL THROATS. You can always step aside if they succeed. But only if they succeed. We didn’t have much time to prepare before these midterm elections. So the American people had to use a political shotgun approach. But by 2012 you will have a scalpel.
Congress you could pass a robust government-run public option now during your lame duck session. You know what the American people want. You already have several bills on record. And the house has already passed a public option. Departing members could leave with a truly great accomplishment. And the rest of you would solidify your job before the 2012 elections.
President Obama, you promised the American people a strong public option available to everyone. And the American people overwhelmingly supported you for it. Maybe it just wasn’t possible before. But it is now.
Knock heads. Threaten people. Or do whatever you have to. We will support you. But get us that robust public option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one before the end of 2011. Or We The People Of The United States will make this midterm election look like a cake walk in 2012. And it will include you.
We still have a healthcare crisis in America. With hundreds of thousands dieing needlessly every year in America. And a for profit medical industrial complex that threatens the security and health of the entire world. They have already attacked the world with H1N1 killing thousands, and injuring millions. And more attacks are planned for profit, and to feed their greed.
Spread the word people.
Progressives, prepare the American peoples scalpels. It’s time to remove some politically diseased tissues.
God Bless You my fellow human beings. I’m proud to be one of you. You did good.
See you on the battle field.
Sincerely
jacksmith – WorkingClass