"It's time to eliminate the private health insurance industry and cover everyone with Universal Single-Payer National Health Insurance (NHI).
We, the undersigned, endorse a fundamental change in America's health care - the creation of a comprehensive National "Single-Payer" Health Insurance Program. Such a program would cover every American for all necessary medical care. All citizens would receive a National Insurance Card entitling them to care at any hospital, doctor's office or clinic, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and supplies. The United States National Health Insurance Act, HR 676, embodies these principles and we urge its passage.
Under NHI, a single, public insurance plan would replace the current patchwork of thousands of private plans. Eliminating the existing complex and redundant insurance bureaucracy and the paperwork burden it inflicts on doctors, nurses and hospitals would generate massive administrative savings. Overall, NHI would save about $350 billion annually on bureaucracy and profits, more than enough to pay for covering the uninsured and improving coverage for the tens of millions who are currently UNDER-insured.
Most hospitals and clinics would remain privately owned and operated, receiving a budget from the NHI to cover all operating costs. The NHI would pay for care in private doctors' offices, as well as in group practices and clinics.
A National Health Insurance Program is the only affordable option for universal, comprehensive coverage. Lesser reforms that retain the private insurance industry cannot streamline bureaucracy; as a result, expanding coverage inevitably means increasing costs, and reducing costs inevitably means limiting coverage. But NHI could both expand coverage and reduce costs. It would squeeze out bureaucratic waste and eliminate the perverse incentives that threaten the quality of care and the ethical foundations of medicine and nursing. For patients, NHI would assure comprehensive coverage and a free choice of doctors and hospitals. For physicians and nurses, NHI would minimize bureaucratic hassles and costs, and nurture the best traditions of these honored professions.
We call on our political leaders to place the needs of the American people above those of the insurance and drug companies that have hitherto blocked real health reform."
Actually we have no insurance at all, but the first time he was admitted through the ER so they couldn't refuse him treatment but now they say they aren't sure if they can do it. It sucks but I don't see how they can refuse, he has to have this done or it can cause major problems. If they don't.....another lawsuit guaranteed!!! Thanks girl!
PASS IT ON: NPR public radio's program "All things considered" has a segment called vocal impressions. Next weeks impressions are of the presidential candidates but they left out Mike Gravel!!! Every other candidate is represented! Go to their site right now and flood them with descriptions of Mike's voice and tell them how ashamed you are of them as they are just as bad as corporate media for excluding a candidate!!
I truly admire you. This is the start to a CHANGE that is long over due. I signed and I'm hoping to get many others to do the same. Good Work!! Keep it up and lets all do our part to take a stand and demand Change!!
I am pulling for this petition... and am hoping for change! Thank you so much for doing this, with hope, and persistence, things will begin to chage for the better!!!
Thank you for the friend request and support! Hope you will join us at our blog and also ask your friends to find out about Single-Payer. It's the difference between TRUE Universal Health Insurance and phony schemes for private insurance companies to continue business as usual. If you want REAL healthcare reform help spread the word!
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