Today Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced that he has introduced the latest legislation to try to get America on a sustainable, health care for all system. The latest bid for single-payer was also taken by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) who issued a companion bill in the House. Both bills seek to eliminate the cost of healthcare in this country by removing the middle man. Insurance companies spend millions of dollars on administrative fees and disqualifying patients, all while reaping a huge profits to provide us with necessary care. Removing that profit incentive will drastically cut health care costs, which currently accounts for one-fifth of the U.S. economy.
You can read more about it in the release by Bernie Sanders here.
The twin measures, both called the American Health Security Act of 2011, would provide federal guidelines and strong minimum standards for states to administer single-payer health care programs.
"The United States is the only major nation in the industrialized world that does not guarantee health care as right to its people," Sanders said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "Meanwhile, we spend about twice as much per capita on health care with worse results than others that spend far less. It is time that we bring about a fundamental transformation of the American health care system. It is time for us to end private, for-profit participation in delivering basic coverage. It is time for the United States to provide a Medicare-for-all single-payer health coverage program."
McDermott said, "The new health care law made big progress towards covering many more people and finding ways to lower cost. However, I think the best way to reduce costs and guarantee coverage for all is through a Single-payer system like Medicare. This bill does just that - it builds on the new health care law by giving states the flexibility they need to go to a single-payer system of their own. It will also reduce costs, and Americans will be healthier."
While last years health care reform law is projected to cover 32 million more Americans, it leaves 23 million uninsured by the end of this decade. As one of those people who will remain uncovered under President Obama's health care plan, I implore all of to show your support for single payer healthcare that will prevent the millions of people like me from falling through the cracks. The health of this nation's people is just too important to leave in the hands of people who only see healthcare as a means to make profit.