The state-based single payer strategy

[ProSense]

This is via Ezra Klein:

The state-based single payer strategy

"Quite frankly," Sen. Bernie Sanders said today, "we don't have the votes for single payer." That's not much of a surprise, but Sanders did outline another strategy for single payer that some liberals might want to think about. "Right now," he explained, "we have language in the bill that says that states that want to go forward with single payer can do that." He's talking about the Waiver for State Innovation, which allows states to go their own way if they have a plan that will achieve the goals of the bill at a lower cost. You could imagine a state -- say, California, where the legislature has passed single-payer bills before only to see them vetoed by the governor -- using that provision to implement a single-payer system.

Sanders thought this the best strategy going forward. "I believe the way we move to single payer in this country is to let one state like California go first," he said. And before some of my conservative readers decide this is a liberal trapdoor in the middle of the bill, the provision could be used to develop a much more conservative approach to universal health care. In fact, it's a legislative expression of the GOP's third plank for health-care reform: "Give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health-care costs."

The health-care reform bill will create a basic, near-universal system across the country. If individual states think they can do better, they're welcome to try. And if they succeed, you could imagine those reforms spreading quickly to other states, too.

This is awesome.

[vaberella]

1. I thought we knew this?! Most of the time ignored. ~sigh~ But DU says Kill the Bill.

Anyway...I hope if the bill passes. New York goes that route. But we got way too many repubs in NY for that to happen.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. "This is awesome."

So why have you spent the last two days bashing the guy who is trying to pass this in the House? :shrug:

[ProSense]

4. Did the OP

hit a nerve?

[Uzybone]

5. trying to pass state by state single payer in the House?

Are folks just now making shit up about Kooch to make him sound good?

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. Guess you must have been at DLC camp last summer?

Those of us who know that the only real cure for what ails the U.S. health care system is a universal public plan that provides health care for all Americans while controlling costs recognize the frustrating reality that there are many economic and political barriers to the federal action that would create a single-payer system. This makes clearing the way experimentation at the state level all the more important.

And, remarkably, the forces of real reform have won a congressional victory on that front, a victory that ought not be underestimated.

By a 25-19 vote, the House Committee on Education and Labor on Friday approved an amendment to the House's health-care reform bill allowing states to create single-payer health care systems if they so choose.

"There are many models of health care reform from which to choose around the world – the vast majority of which perform far better than ours. The one that has been the most tested here and abroad is single-payer," explained Congressman Dennis Kucinich, the Ohio Democrat who proposed the amendment. "Under a single-payer system everyone in the U.S. would get a card that would allow access to any doctor at virtually any hospital. Doctors and hospitals would continue to be privately run, but the insurance payments would be in the public hands. By getting rid of the for-profit insurance companies, we can save $400 billion per year and provide coverage for all medically necessary services for everyone in the U.S."

Votes for the amendment came from progressive Democrats who favor single-payer -- such as Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Lynn Woolsey, of California, and Raul Grijalva, of Arizona -- as well as conservative Republicans who have no taste for single-payer but want states to be able to set their own agendas.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/452493

[Uzybone]

13. Thanks for the info

Good for Kooch.

[vaberella]

6. Said guy doesn't support the bill that provides a similar measure.

When he cant get the votes to get his vote through. At least this gives the measure similar and he's shitting on it. Yeah...I consider it a problem. If it's not his, it's not worth voting for.

[denimgirly]

7. Canada started the same way -- Saskatchewan was Single Payer than the Rest of Canada followed

[Sebastian Doyle]

11. fortunately for the Canadians

They only had to get 12 provinces on board. 50 states might take a while :(

[HughMoran]

9. "we don't have the votes for single payer."

If Bernie says it, then I believe it. At least Sanders and Grayson have a strategy (wink, wink) :evilgrin:

[vaberella]

12. Dude Single Payer has been sitting on the shelf for years b/c of lack of votes. n/t

[HughMoran]

14. I know that

... I was having some fun at the expense of those who seem to think we bypassed the single-payer option based on some "deal" between Dems and insurance companies.

[vaberella]

17. Oh...understood. Sorry...

I just can't get sarcasm online. :D

[HughMoran]

18. I hear ya

I miss it all the time. :D

[subterranean]

10. I strongly agree with this.

Giving states the tools (and funding) to create their own reforms might be the best idea still remaining in the bill.

[bvar22]

15. An amendment to allow states to start their own Single Payer System...

...was added to the original House Bill, and PASSED in committee.
This amendment was stripped from the Bill behind closed doors by the Democratic Party Leadership and did NOT appear in the final version of the House Bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/pelosi-single-payer-amend_n_347017.html

[ProSense]

16. Well, now there is one in the bill, and it's funded

unlike Kucinich's.