Many have hopes of the public option making the cut in reconciliation. But we all know the real solution is single payer, and there is just no reason to pretend it isn't. Let's give our side some leverage on Thursday.
The many organizations with Healthcare NOW!, including my own (full disclosure: I work for California School Employees Association, which is part of the AFL-CIO) are keeping the flame alive. Here's the email today from PDA:
Working the Inside/Outside Strategy on Healthcare Reform
February 23, 2010
Take Action: Feb. 25--PDA National Call-in Day for Medicare for All--call Congress
On Thursday, Feb. 25, single-payer healthcare advocates will participate in Healthcare NOW!'s Sidewalk Summit for Medicare for All!, which includes a lobby visit to Congressional members on the Hill. Nearby residents are encouraged to attend.
Healthcare NOW! will be taking taking the call for Medicare-for-all inside the halls of Congress, and PDA will be leading the outside-the beltway effort with a national call-in day.
PDA is asking you to make a note on your calendar to call your representative and tell them that the best solution to the healthcare crisis is still waiting to be debated--Medicare-for-all.
Despite polling indicating that a majority of Americans want Medicare-for-all, some groups are still pushing for the weak and costly 'public option." PDA with Healthcare NOW!, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Physicians for a National Health Program and the other allied organizations of the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Healthcare remain committed to Medicare-for-all, single-payer healthcare.
Recent reports highlighting the huge profits of the leading health insurance corporations prove they are not reliable and trustworthy partners. Other reports of the continuing malfeasance on Wall Street should cause Congress to rethink putting our nation's healthcare system in the hands of publicly traded, healthcare corporations. The only option that will actuallty save money, cover everyone, provide patient and doctor choice remains Medicare-for-all. It would also be easier to implement because the architecture is in place and could begin delivering healthcare and savings well before 2014, when the current legislation would start to take effect.