Pro-single-payer physicians call for defeat of Senate health bill

[man4allcats]

The full text of a letter to the U.S. Senate by Drs. Fein, Himmelstein and Woolhandler of Physicians for a National Health Program calling for defeat of the health care legislation presently before the Senate and immediate consideration of the adoption of an expanded and improved Medicare-for-All program can be found at this link.

A national organization of 17,000 physicians who favor a single-payer health care system called on the U.S. Senate today to defeat the health care legislation presently before it and to immediately consider the adoption of an expanded and improved Medicare-for-All program.

While noting that the Senate bill includes some “salutary provisions” like an expansion of Medicaid, increased funding for community clinics and the curbing of some of the worst practices of the private insurance industry, the group says the negatives in the bill outweigh the positives.

The negatives, the group says, include the individual mandate requiring that people buy private insurance policies, large government subsidies to private insurers, new restrictions on abortion, the unfair taxing of high-cost health plans, and cuts of $43 billion in Medicare payments to safety-net hospitals. Moreover, at least 23 million people will remain uninsured when the plan finally takes effect, they said.

“We have concluded that the Senate bill’s passage would bring more harm than good,” the group said in a statement signed by its president, Dr. Oliver Fein, and two co-founders, Drs. David Himmelstein and Steffie Woolhandler.

[leftstreet]

1. K&R

[DebbieCDC]

12. K&R

[Laelth]

2. k&r for the voice of reason. n/t

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[FLAprogressive]

3. hold on a second. we are being told that this bill is "VERMONT SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE"

so why is PNHP saying kill the bill?

Maybe the Vermonters are.....lying?

[BP2]

4. The doctors aren't the only ones. Did you hear what Rep. Louise Slaughter said today?

"The Senate health care bill is not worthy of the historic vote that the House took a month ago."

"Supporters of the weak Senate bill say 'just pass it — any bill is better than no bill.'
I strongly disagree — a conference report is unlikely to sufficiently bridge the gap between these two very different bills.
It’s time that we draw the line on this weak bill and ask the Senate to go back to the drawing board. The American people deserve at least that."


She's the co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus and the Chair of the House Rules Committee.

You "still billers" out there need to understand the President will be harmed far worse if this bill does NOT make it through
Conference, than if Barack just puts his foot down, starts it over again and has Congress do it right to cover all Americans.

Kill the Bill !

[man4allcats]

7. Good for Rep. Slaughter!

We need more strong voices. I did not know her name until today, but I will remember it now. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[kelly1mm]

5. HATERS! Doctors hate President Obama, poor people, and pupies. nt

[BP2]

6. LOL, don't forget kittens and children

doctors hate them too.

[havocmom]

8. And apple pie

They are always pissing on my apple pie

[BP2]

10. Until your son or daughter is involved in a terrible accident and

the doctor is the only one who can save your child's life in the emergency room on a Saturday night.

Then doctors are pretty good.

[kelly1mm]

14. I didn't think I needed a sarcasm tag, did I? nt

[havocmom]

17. Same here

and that poster presumes much.

Maybe Santa can drop off some seeds for a sense of humor?

[leftstreet]

16. ARREST THEM! Oh wait....they already did n/t

[BP2]

9. Don't forget California Reps. Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey's top priorities, released today:

"A public option — If the bill requires people to buy health insurance, there must be a public option to bring down costs by providing lower-cost competition to private insurers and choice to consumers."

"Affordability protections — The legislation must protect lower and middle-income individuals by ensuring that subsidies make coverage affordable and that Medicaid patients have access to primary care physicians."

"Tighter market regulations — New regulations must keep premiums reasonable and end abusive practices. Insurance companies should no longer be exempt from anti-trust laws and any premium increases must be reviewed before they take effect."

“Employer mandates — If individuals are required to buy insurance, employers should be required to provide it.

“Tax surcharges — Health care reform should be financed by tax surcharges on the wealthy not excise taxes on health insurance plans offered to many workers and union members.


- Lee and Woolsey serve as chairwomen of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus, respectively

[Vidar]

11. K&R.

[Libertas1776]

13. K&R!

[patrice]

15. Of course they do, as well they should and I'm supporting passage.

Anyone who thought there was a possibility that PNHP would/should do otherwise doesn't understand what's going on.

[bvar22]

18. So what?

JANE HAMPSHIRE IS A RACIST!!1!!!1
Im SERIES!!1!!!!