The Single Payer Fire Has Been Lit

[Joanne98]

Last week when I was one of the Baucus Eight – so-named because eight of us were arrested before Sen. Baucus, I hopped others would join us. Yesterday, they did. And, the single payer movement grew stronger.

Before the hearing I joined nearly 50 people in a spirited protest outside the U.S. senate letting all who entered know we wanted a single payer national health care plan.


And, inside there were a series of protests.

As the hearing began, and Sen. Baucus was speaking a group of about 30 nurses, dressed in their red hospital uniforms, stood up and turned their backs on Baucus. They had pinned to their backs: “Nurses Say: Stop AHIP. Pass Single Payer.” (AHIP is America’s Health Insurance Plans – the health insurance industry lobby.)

The nurses left the room to applause.

Then doctors, nurses and advocates stood up and one by one and spoke directly to Senator Baucus.

DeAnn McEwen, a registered nurse from California said: “Today is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Florence Nightingale said 'if there were none to hope for any better, there would never be any better.' This country needs a single payer health care system.”

Then, another RN from California, Sue Cannon, stood up: “People at the table have failed Americans for 30 years. We want single payer at the table. We want guaranteed health care so we can give the care we need, when we need to give it.”

She was followed by Dr. Judy Dasovich of Springfield, Missouri, who said “We request that single payer advocates be allowed at the table. Health care should be for patients not for profits.”

Dr. Steven Fenichel of Ocean City, NJ followed adding: “It’s a sense of outrage that brings me to your Senate chambers today. These people were entrusted by the American people to serve the American people’s interests. And they are just serving the interests of the insurance companies and drug companies – the people be damned.”

Jerry Call, a member of Physicians for a National Health Program from South Thomaston, Maine was the final advocate from the audience, speaking for the majority of Americans shut out from the discussion, and saying: “Sixty percent of Americans and sixty percent of physicians want single payer. Why aren’t sixty percent of the people up front not single payer representatives?”

All five were arrested and taken away for booking. They were charged with Disruption of Congress, the same offense I will go to court for on May 26th.

Now, 13 have been arrested – the Baucus 8 have morphed into the Baucus 13 – demanding a seat at the table; merely urging that the most popular health reform among the people as well as among doctors, nurses and economists be part of the conversation.

Outside as each new Baucus criminal was walked before the crowd, now approximately 75 people -- they were all cheered.

1 | 2

http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Single-Payer-Fire-Has-by-Kevin-Zeese-090512-462.html

[HelenWheels]

1. Thank you

You are a true American and more importantly a humanitarian.

[Road Scholar]

50. Please keep it fanned!! It has to become a major movement!!

Ignorance, indifference, and incompetence has always been our enemy. The 23 per centers will fight this like a war!

[CurtEastPoint]

Thank you, Joanne, and the others also.

This statement says it all: "These people were entrusted by the American people to serve the American people’s interests. And they are just serving the interests of the insurance companies and drug companies – the people be damned."

[DaLittle Kitty]

28. Thank You For Your Courage! Here Is Single Payer Advocate/Congressional Candidate/ARNP Link

To a well thought out analysis and solution strategies for moving this country forward toward a National Single Payer Health Plan in the 2008 General election. John Russell is a Nationally Certified (ANCC) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an MBA in Health Systems Management.

I have spoken to John who is a seasoned activist who has no problem with being outspoken in any venue. John would have enjoyed thoroughly the opportunity to "educate" Senator Baucus.


In case you have not seen THIS? This video clearly describes WHY we are getting screwed!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBJAkCjjz1Y

Here is the link and excerpts from John Russell's website section on a National Single Payer Health Plan.

http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=35



Best political strategy for passage is not HR 676... This is only a portion of John's discussion there is much more analysis of contributing factors via the link.


Medicare For ALL Plan!
This IS IT!

* New Competition for Private Insurers: The Edwards plan creates new choices for American families. The new Health Care Markets will be available to everyone who does not get comparable insurance from their jobs or a public program and to employers who choose to join rather than offer their own insurance plans. Families and individuals will choose the plan that works best for them. The markets will include a new public plan similar to Medicare.

If enough people choose the public plan, then the US will evolve towards a single-payer plan. As a result, private insurers will face new rules and competitive pressures to hold down their costs and deliver better coverage.

My Opinion By John Russell

As a health care professional who has observed in the delivery of health care services many of the problems specifically outlined in John Edwards discussion, I have concluded that the most efficient way for America to extricate itself from the legalistic tentacles of the private insurance industry as it pertains to the financing of health care services, is to advocate for a plan such as this. While in 2006 I did advocate for HR676 the process of transitioning to it would be far more laborious and frought with peril as the private insurance lobby fought its emergence.

In John Edwards plan the mere fact that its implementation arises via a market competitive model, immediately defuses much of the opposition's thunder, while public acceptance of the model will in the end determine its fate. It is imperative that as a nation we decide whether or not we are going to place as a priority the care of ALL of our people. As a Congressman from the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, I will! Case managers at the hospital where I work have told me that the volume of "Self Pay" patients has increased dramatically as the economy has declined. Not surprising as I heard similar concerns from a group of real estate professionals who in a down economy were finding it difficult to make their health care premiums every month.


There is an impact on all concerned as providers are not reimbursed for their services, and patients that delay treatment until finally presenting to the Emergency Room with what is often a much more serious illness; that might have been more inexpensively and expeditiously treated had the patient requested treatment sooner. Patients delay treatment very often because of fear of the $BILLS that follow a trip to the hospital or doctor. Episodes of chest pain may be cast aside for weeks until finally a BIGGER chest pain that cannot be ignored and does not ... go away strikes. I have seen this myself and time IS as they say ... "Heart Muscle." So the patient may survive but with significant disability relating to what is now a very badly damaged heart. Removing this fear of $Cost will pay dividends in avoiding the costly disability that is so very common. Preventative care that incorporates patient education on a broad scale for issues that encompass for example diabetes, smoking and weight control can pay our society tremendous dividends as well.

Insurance companies are in business to make money. Nothing wrong with that except for the fact of how they make their money. Insurance companies make money through health insurance in several ways, none of which are particularly beneficial to the consumer. The more complex the insurance instrument as John Edwards plan outlines in some detail, the more room there is for shenanigans that basically leaves the insuree high and dry without insurance or with a big hole in his/her pocket. Money is made by the insurer by either denying coverage or pricing coverage rediculously high or denying or delaying payment to providers. This IS our current system. A plan similar to the one offered by John Edwards should be the health care system that we as Americans strive to achieve as its successor... and soon!

Share

Former Presidential Candidate John Edwards' Plan

Remains The Best Path To A

National Single Payer Health Care Plan

I acknowledge here the influence of John Edwards plan to re-design how America cares for its citizens. I do this because just like many others believed, John Edwards plan was the best plan among all of the candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. As a health care professional, I still believe that to be the case. I will when elected advocate for a National Health Care Plan that incorporates many if not all of the characteristics embodied in the Edwards Plan. (Link Below)

http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/health-care/

The American health care system is broken. There are 47 million Americans who lack health insurance, and 18,000 people die every year as a result. Health care costs are skyrocketing and premiums are up 90 percent since 2000. Even families with insurance are often unprotected from catastrophic events when insurers fight legitimate claims, impose coverage caps, and seek excuses to revoke coverage when its needed most. Half of families entering bankruptcy are driven there by high medical costs. Many people who have health insurance are "under-insured" and postpone needed health care because of their meager coverage.

As senator, John Edwards championed the Patients' Bill of Rights to fight managed care and insurance company abuses. Now more than ever, the health insurance industry needs to be kept honest. While companies have an obligation to treat their customers with fairness and dignity, too often companies put their own profits and executive pay first. Today, Edwards outlined his plan to make sure that families with insurance have the health care safety net they pay for and need.

Insurance Industry Abuses: The current health care system is broken, often letting down even families with insurance. The abusive behavior of insurance companies includes:

* Designing confusing forms and procedures that make it very difficult for patients to claim the benefits they deserve and forcing patients to hire paperwork consultants.


* Using complex and unfair rules to cancel insurance policies after people get sick, despite accepting past payments. California regulators fined one insurer, Blue Cross of California, $1 million for violating state rules and abusively canceling insurance policies from 2004 to 2006. Another insurer, Health Net, paid bonuses based upon the number of patients whose policies were canceled for technicalities.


* Wrongly denying medical treatment needed to live and covered by insurance.


* Charging patients more for "out-of-network" doctors at "in-network" hospitals, leading patients to unwittingly incur thousands of dollars in bills despite trying to follow the rules.


* Creating procedural barriers and paperwork that keep doctors from providing needed care.

Lack of Competition: In 299 of 313 markets recently surveyed, one health plan controls at least 30 percent of the market for health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. In the last 12 years, the Department of Justice has only challenged two of more than 400 insurance company mergers. There is a merger pending in Nevada that would put 80 percent of the state's HMO market in the hands of one insurance company. High levels of market consolidation raises concerns that the insurance market may not be competitive, hurting the health care system.

Huge Levels of Executive Pay: As premiums skyrocket and some patients are denied care they need, insurance company CEOs are often paid tens of millions of dollars a year. In 2006, it was reported that the CEO of one of the world's largest insurers, UnitedHealth Group, had been awarded an astonishing $1.1 billion in stock options, enough to cover roughly 750,000 uninsured children with health insurance for one year.
Fighting for Families' Rights to Basic Insurance

John Edwards has fought special interest groups his entire career and knows that we need a health care system that works for everyone. His health plan will reform the health insurance industry to help us all get the insurance we need. Today, he proposed new laws to prevent abuses, stronger enforcement of insurance rules, and more competition and choice in insurance markets. Americans will no longer be on their own against insurance companies.

Tough New Insurance Laws:


* Insurance that Is Always There: John Edwards will stop insurance industry "rescissions," the practice of dropping individuals from insurance for technical reasons after they need their coverage. Edwards will pass a guaranteed issue law requiring insurance companies to sell insurance to everyone, regardless of their preexisting conditions, and preventing from denying coverage after a condition develops.
* A Fair Price for Good Insurance: Today, insurance companies will charge certain occupations and individuals with preexisting conditions more for insurance, such as police officers, firefighters, and construction workers. Edwards will put a stop to this practice, requiring community rating so that all people have access to insurance at a fair price.
* Ensure that Premiums Help Patients: Enacting health care reform to expand insurance to all families also requires establishing new rules so insurance companies cannot continue charging hardworking families excessive premiums, while pocketing the savings. Edwards will require insurers to spend at least 85 percent of their premiums on patient care as several states already do. The plan will force insurers to cut wasteful spending and pass savings on to families and employers.
* Empower Consumers: John Edwards will remove the mystery in what insurance companies cover. New "truth-in-insuring" rules will require insurance companies to be transparent and honest about what they will ultimately cover. The rules will set standards on explaining private insurance products and understandable medical bills.
* Guaranteed Comprehensive Benefits: Some states mandate that insurance companies must provide benefits like preventive care to children and screening tests like mammograms. Some insurance companies leave out these common-sense procedures. Under the Edwards plan, every American will have comprehensive benefits including preventive care and important tests.
* Creating a Bill of Rights for Patients and Providers: Now more than ever, Americans need a Patients' Bill of Rights for insurance and managed care companies. In 2001, John Edwards fought for the original Bill of Rights, which passed the Senate but was eventually blocked by insurance company lobbyists. As president, Edwards will help create an updated Bill of Rights to solidify the protections discussed in 2001 and reflect today's need to reform insurance companies' practices.

It is also time to protect doctors and hospitals from insurance company abuses. By making it difficult for health care providers to collect on their claims, insurance companies make it difficult for patients to get the care they need. Complex forms, long hold times on the phone, and inappropriate denials of payment for needed treatments are just some of the insurance company tactics. Edwards will develop strict rules for insurance companies that will make it easier for doctors and hospitals to get paid for and deliver needed care.
Stronger Enforcement:

* Maintaining Accountability: All Americans need and deserve a strong line of protection against insurance companies. Edwards will revolutionize the individual and small group insurance markets with his new Health Care Markets, which will negotiate plans and carefully enforce protections for families. Edwards will also ask the Department of Justice and work with states to oversee insurance markets.
* Create an Advocate for Patients: In California, when a patient has a dispute with a managed care company, the state reviews the case to make sure the company acted within the law. Every patient deserves an advocate when he or she needs it. Edwards will look to models like California's and build a national resource for regular people to get the help they need in negotiating with for insurance companies and HMOs. Edwards will also establish a medical home for Americans with chronic diseases, giving patients a primary care doctor who can advocate against insurance companies for needed care.

More Competition

* Stop Insurance Company Monopolies: Edwards will apply rigorous standards and block mergers that could hurt consumers, doctors and hospitals. He will direct the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an immediate and comprehensive review of the health insurance market and make recommendations on how to ensure a competitive market. Where monopolies already exist, he would break them up to ensure competition. He will also revisit the insurance company exception to the nation's antitrust laws.

[waiting for hope]

29. +1

Thanks for that - he did have the best plan.

[JDPriestly]

52. Thanks for acknowledging that Edwards had the best health care

plan and was in the forefront on pushing for sensible health care. By the way, let's give Edwards credit for being the first to push the theme of alternative energy.

He may have had an affair, but at least he had the courage to speak out and take strong stands. I believe that Edwards would handle a lot of issues better than Obama is -- including the prosecutions of torturers. Obama is showing weakness in the face of these challenges. That is not a good idea.

[drm604]

2. Thank you for what you are doing.

I wish that I could have some hope that it'll do some good. If it does happen it will be because of people like you.

[juno jones]

3. K&R! n/t

[CrispyQ]

4. Thank you again for keeping this issue front & center.

Your post yesterday was very helpful for me when composing my letters to Congress. Some very good sites linked there!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5640349

[nxylas]

5. K&R and thank you

This is about more than just single payer - it's about whether America is a democracy or a corporatist state. And yes, I know there's another word for corporatism, but I felt that the f-word has become too imprecise in its definition due to decades of overuse.

[mnhtnbb]

6. The photo of those nurses in handcuffs says it all.

It's time to storm the Bastille.

[southernyankeebelle]

7. NOW THAT IS WHAT I THINK THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE

DOING. HOWEVER, THE SAME GROUP NEEDS TO GET PEOPLE OUT THERE AND PROTEST PEACEFULLY. CALL PEOPLE TO COME AND JOIN YOU. GET ON THE BLOGS AND GET THE PEOPLE OUT THERE. PLEASE DR'S, NURSES, GENERAL PUBLIC. SOMEONE START THE PROTEST.

[dgibby]

8. Heartfelt thanks to you and your fellow demonstrators for all you're

doing to push this issue. It's much appreciated and much needed. Keep up the good work.

For those of us not able to join you in DC, is there anything (besides signing petitions, calling our reps) we can do to help? Do you need donations to assist with court costs, lawyers? Please let us know what you want us to do. I, for one, would be glad to contribute if needed.

Thanks again. Take care of yourself and stay safe.

[Vidar]

9. K&R. Kudos to the Baucus Eight.

[katty]

10. K&R

[EC]

11. Someone should point out to Baucus

that it's OUR money that will be spent on the health care system, they are just there to manage the money for us-not tell us what we want to spend it on, that is our discission. We (the majority of Americans)have chosen single-payer, it is up to them to get it done...that's what we hired them for...

On edit: Sorry but I'm so pissed about this...Just WHO THE HELL DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE? Since Eisenhower people have wanted this, needed this and these jack-off bookkeepers with-hold it and dangle it like a carrot in front of a rabbits face....Enough, either this time they do it...or they are gone...every contribution request I get I've let them know, no more votes or money until they get working in the right direction.

[diane in sf]

12. thank you

[mbperrin]

13. Thank you! We do desperately need single payer, and thank God there

are those there to voice it!

[DCKit]

14. Kick

[Wednesdays]

15. K&R

:kick:

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

16. I need some clarification, please

Obama ran on this promise: the a health care reform package will include the creation of a government-run health plan to compete with private carriers in the traditional market place.

Here's how I've invisioned things will play out. Although single-payer, i.e., elimination of for-profit health care industry, is the ideal system, the Obama's proposed compromise--choose between government-run or private--to be a "next best" outcome.

I understand Obama has given single-payer advocates the finger. What I cannot discern, however, has he shit-canned his campaign proposal--choose private OR government-run--too!

[Jkid]

26. Problem is that you still have to pay upfront in Obama's compromise.

This concerns me because I'm unable to get a job even if I want to.

[Lasher]

44. Right, the government option is a red herring.

It's just private insurance with government employees stuck in. And I will be surprised if they don't outsource a lot of the work to the private sector. This government option is being set up to fail. It certainly is not single payer but that's what it will come to be called, so that insurance lobbyists can point to it and say, "See, I told you single payer was a bad idea."

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

47. Ugh... :(

:(

[quidam56]

17. We need a cure for health care in America

See for yourself what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee and Virginia as "the high quality of standards" in East Tennessee and southwest Virginia. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 Profit Care comes ahead of Patient Care !

[BirminghamExaminer]

18. yes, this is AWESOME! K&R

[BirminghamExaminer]

19. I noticed there was quite a bit about it on the Ed show the other day....

we need more advocates like you and like him. Thanks.

[kaygore]

20. Thank you! I sat here and bawled as I watched the video

I was so proud of you all and wish that I were not on the other side of the country, or I would be there picketing. We will have to take to the streets I suspect if we are going to beat these whores.

[Canuckistanian]

21. Thanks, Joanne

This is one of the most important fights for the average American.

And if it's not fought.... well, I hate to think how much worse it'll get.

[Cronus Protagonist]

22. They must have meant "pyre"

Although I do wish the US would get with the world's most agreed and effective system of health care.

[MasonJar]

23. I have faxed and e-mailed, but what else can I do?

[MasonJar]

24. I do not know if any mainstream media has covered your patriotic

stands, but the internet is abuzz with them. Thank you! Baucus has proven himself just another corporate parasite. This once again underscores why we must have public finance of national elections. The current finance system for elections is unfair to the people who run to legitimately institute change and it is certainly unfair to the people they might represent and most significantly it is ruinous for our country. Why should corporations act in the proper manner when they can just buy any number of pols?

[customerserviceguy]

25. I'm sorry

but after the way the Senate voted today on credit card interest rates, and how they voted a couple of weeks ago on letting bankruptcy court judges rewrite mortgage balances, I have no hope.

The various factions of the medical establishment own way more Senators and Representatives than even the banks do.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

27. MOST countries have single payer and no private ins needed

My cousins in NZ and AU have had single payer for decades.
No need to go bankrupt over medical care.
Everyone has access.

You can buy private insurance if you want private care, but its not necessary.

Even Taiwan, for God's sakes has universal health care.

[AllyCat]

30. Thank you! Doing my part on this end...

I'm an RN fighting with my union brothers and sisters for this same thing. We have gone to our state legislature. Many of us have written LTTE. I'm planning to join SEIU for lobbying in DC next month. Keep fighting the good fight. We're working with you, but you're really on the front lines. Thanks a million.

[bertman]

Your words and actions are inspiring!! Thank you for your work and your sacrifice.

[DU GrovelBot]

31. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our second quarter 2009 fund drive.
Donate and you'll be automatically entered into our daily contest.
New prizes daily!



No purchase or donation necessary. Void where prohibited. Click here for more information.

[Old Codger]

32. Arrested for ???

The first amendment gives us ALL this right....


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[OwnedByFerrets]

33. I dont get it.......

In the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution it states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" (Bloom p. 81).

The right of a citizen to peacefully 1) parade and gather or 2) demonstrate support or opposition of public policy or 3) express one's views is guaranteed by the freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble.


Why were you arrested? I thought you had the RIGHT to do the above in America. Not in THIS amerika, huh?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. This morning, there was an editorial on the NY Times website

talking about Obama's negotiations with the insurance companies, and basically repeating the corporatist line. Yet when I arranged the readers' comments in the order Readers' Recommendations, they showed overwhelming support for national health care and overwhelming hatred for insurance companies.

In my comment, I noted that fact, and then asked the New York Times editorial board whether they were so insulated in their upscale Manhattan neighborhoods that they didn't understand what was going on in the rest of the country, or whether they had insurance companies as major advertisers and were afraid of offending them.

My comments usually get posted, but not today. I know someone saw it though, since someone had to make the decision to reject it.

[Cleita]

35. You are heroes and it reminds me of about thirteen years ago when I first

started advocating for any universal health plan. People looked at me like I was from Mars. It didn't take me long to find my way to the PNHP website that introduced single payer to me. So I started participating as much as I could in different venues trying to talk about this. Medical professionals at that time were hostile to the idea. I remember the first time I posted the PNHP website on DU. Two people answered and one stated that it looked good.

Years later and thousands of posts later about single payer universal health care, I'm heartened that the idea has spread widely among the population but more importantly among health care professionals and among people like you who can actually get some kind of ball rolling, unlike me, who can only talk about it and try to spread information. If you only knew just how far you have come and yet how much farther you are going to have to go to win this war. Your enemies, the for profit health care and PhRMA industries, are formidable.

All I can say is bless you and I've got your back.

[livefreest]

36. stay strong. please organize a march on Washington, DC

imagine: 100s of thousands standing before the Lincoln Memorial demanding single-payer universal health care as a civil right:grouphug:

[farmboxer]

37. Thanks! You represent the people.

Most of our politicians want big money from the drug companies and insurance companies.

Kevin Trudeau

Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About appears to be correct.

[Mithreal]

38. K&R nt

[InfiniteThoughts]

39. you folks are the real american heroes ..

:yourock:

:patriot:

[Kaleko]

40. You're brave.

Like so many women who never get praised for their heroism... :loveya:

[pkdu]

41. Thankyou Maam, thankyou (and the others) a thousand times n/t

[pkdu]

42. Thankyou Maam, thankyou (and the others) a thousand times n/t

[BlueMTexpat]

43. Thank you and the Baucus 13 ... hopefully more!

I was born and raised in Baucus's home state. I no longer reside there but I stay informed about local issues and still have family and friends there. I am thoroughly ashamed of him for shutting out single-payer advocates in these hearings and hope that my fellow Montanans will be able to find a strong progressive alternative when he is next up for re-election.

The US already has at least two effective single-payer plans, coverage for federal government employees and Medicare. The single-payer option should be expanded to the full population, with safety-net coverage for those who find themselves out of work. That's simply a requirement of a civilized industrial society and certainly for a "kinder, gentler nation."

[DeeDeeNY]

45. Thank you Joanne.

"Health care should be for patients not for profits". What a novel concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlDAUKSh9CQ

[fasttense]

46. Kick. n/t

[BonnieJW]

48. Thank you Joanne.

All of you shamed those in the hearing. Insurance companies are in the business of taking money from the sick. What a noble profession. K&R.

[cyberswede]

49. Physicians for a National Health Program

Several physicians at the state university hospital where I work are members of this group. I was pleasantly surprised to learn this. :)

Their website has a wealth of information, including info on state chapters. It's worth checking out!

http://www.pnhp.org/

[Marxman]

51. Finally Socialized Medicine comes to the US, this has been a dream of mine for a long time

Well I am new here and I just want to say because of Obama I made the switch to the Democratic Party. I knew that if anyone could pull off National Healthcare it would be Obama. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I am almost in tears at this point.

[nradisic]

53. K&R

Keep up the good work. We've got your back...

[clear eye]

54. Please make "Nat'l Day of Action" a success

For details see my post on the May 30th National Day of Action for Single-Payer Healthcare, and the one on how to organize a small, local rally.

Think of the negative impact if no one turns up at this "party".