In PA, nearly as many Repub state legislators support single payer as Dems

[eridani]

Given what is going on at the national level, how in bleeding hell do that DO that, anyway? CA passed single payer three times, but along mostly partisan lines. I'm calling Pennachio this week to find out.

HealthCare4ALLPA's Response to the National Healthcare Bill

In light of Sunday night's historic U.S. House of Representatives 219-212 "yes" vote on HR 3590 (and likely passage of the same in the U.S. Senate later this week) the legislative work of Healthcare for All Pennsylvania is even more crucial, more time-sensitive, and more opportune than ever.

First, there is something truly, politically remarkable when a majority of any U.S. Congress can agree on any set of reforms regarding a topic as big as healthcare economics and healthcare delivery. Complicating matters even more is the fact that 2010 is a mid-term federal election, and funding of such elections is akin to the “Wild West.” Just a week ago, passage of this healthcare legislation appeared 50-50, at best. Two months ago, many were writing its obituary.

So, politically, HR 3590 is a feat; policy-wise, HR 3590 is rife with problems, challenges, and opportunities.

Washington's election year "spin" aside, HR 3590 does not deal fundamentally, systemically, or expeditiously (2014 implementation date) with questions of "affordable, comprehensive, quality, healthcare for all" even close to the degree that PA's HR 1660/SB 400 tackles those questions. http://www.healthcare4allpa.org/legis.htm

Moreover, while the national healthcare bill funnels nearly a trillion dollars to buy or subsidize insurance for the uninsured in the profit-first market, and compels (through threat of fines) the purchase of more insurance in the same Blues-monopoly market, HR 3590 does nearly nothing to address the problem of underinsurance – either for the newly insured or for those who are currently insured. Insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and incidence of medical bankruptcy will continue to escalate under HR 3590.

We citizens of Pennsylvania cannot afford to wait until 2014. Nor will we ignore the obvious shortcomings of HR 3590 or the new policy opening presented by this political breakthrough.

Thus, our work continues more feverishly than ever, grateful that this congressional battle is nearly behind us, with eyes fixed on the new possibilities before us.

With fair-share funding authorized by HB 1660/SB 400, Governor Rendell's signature assured, and near-equal measures of Republican and Democratic leadership and participation, we are poised to win for our state, and for our nation – this year – the proven One Payer Solution: publicly-funded, privately delivered, cost-saving, life-enhancing, job-generating, quality, comprehensive healthcare for all.


Chuck Pennacchio, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Cindy Purvis
President
Healthcare for All Pennsylvania
http://www.healthcare4allpa.org/
www.healthcare4allpa.org/donate.htm

[Altoid_Cyclist]

1. This is much needed good news.

Thanks to co-pays, deductibles, other out of pocket expenses and premiums, my wife and I have outstanding medical bills that are into the five figure category. At least we're lucky enough to have Health Insurance so we're better off than a lot of people in PA.

We live a pretty frugal lifestyle but there's not much that we can do about the medical bills. It would be great to see PA actually do something progressive such as passing this legislation.

What worries me is the fact that Corbett (probably) is going to be our next Governor. Passing this bill will at least dull some of the sting arising from that concern.

[drm604]

2. This is my state and I've met Mr. Pennacchio several times.

I supported his unsuccessful run for the US Senate.

Obviously, I would personally benefit from this but, more importantly, PA could set an example which other states may follow. So I'm thinking that this is where I should be putting my activism efforts right now.

Time for me to call Chuck and ask what I can do. Maybe he can be our Tommy Douglas.

[eridani]

3. Indeed. In WA State, our legislators absolutely refuse to move without a prior ERISA waiver

I'm delighted that some states are plowing ahead even without that. In fact, we've discussed possibly concentrating our efforts out of state on states that look like they are farther ahead of the curve than we are.

[drm604]

10. The folks here in PA seem to think that ERISA isn't as big a hurdle

as some would have us think.

[eridani]

11. Our legal analyst here says that as well

The main argument is that the single payer payroll tax would be a tax for a public good, and that employers would remain free to do whatever else they like with their benefits programs. Our legislators don't want the bother of paying for defending a legal challenge no matter how good the case is, unfortunately.

[PA Democrat]

4. It makes sense for businesses because their total contribution is capped at 10%

of payroll.

Sadly, it looks like the bill that passed the House on Sunday night does prevent states from enacting their own single payer systems until 2017. Anyone know if that has been changed?

[eridani]

6. No, it hasn't. If PA pushes ahead with this, will that force a change?

Worth trying, I think.

[PA Democrat]

7. It's definitely worth it. I've been following this group for several months and

I will be focusing my efforts on working for meaningful change at the state level. My state representative is one of the original co-sponsors of the House bill. He's a good guy and I've had several meaningful discussions with him on health care reform. I have also contacted my state senator about support for the Senate bill.

I like the way this group has gone about marketing this bill from showing the benefits to both large and small businesses as well as illustrating the saving to county and local governments.

[eridani]

8. So, is there any chance of reviving that Republicans for Single Payer group of last year?

They didn't keep their domain name current, unfortunately. I'd think a bunch of supportive legislators would be a good place to start.

[PA Democrat]

9. I think they are still out there. Not sure how active they are.

Republicans for Single-Payer

http://republicansforsinglepayer.org/?p=1

There's also this group founded by a Republican businessman in support of single payer. If you sit down and explain the benefits to most business people, they would favor a single payer system, unless they are completely brainwashed that the government can never do anything right.

Business Coalition for Single Payer

http://www.businesscoalition.net/

[Vinca]

5. The one thing never noted in the polls of people opposing reform

is that about half oppose it because they want single payer.