From editor at unionsforsinglepayerhealthcare.org Sun Feb 5 23:06:12 2017 From: editor at unionsforsinglepayerhealthcare.org (Single Payer News) Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2017 23:06:12 -0500 Subject: Los Angeles Times publishes prominent article on HR 676, Improved Medicare for All Message-ID: _LOS ANGELES TIMES_ PUBLISHES PROMINENT ARTICLE ON HR 676, IMPROVED MEDICARE FOR ALL This column by David Lazarus appeared recently in the _Los Angeles Times_, raising the importance and possibilities of HR 676. Cosponsors on HR 676 [1], Congressman Conyers national single payer legislation, have grown to 57. Please call your representative (202) 224-3121 and ask him/her to sign on. If your representative is already on the bill, encourage her/him to speak up boldly and publicly for this solution. ____________________________________________________ http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-medicare-for-all-20170203-story.html [2] LOOKING FOR A REALLY GOOD OBAMACARE REPLACEMENT? HERE IT IS By David Lazarus [3] February 3, 2017 Supporters of healthcare reform may feel disheartened as President Trump [4] and Republican lawmakers prepare to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with ? well, something. They can't even agree among themselves on what the U.S. healthcare system should look like. But there's reason for hope, albeit a long shot. OK, a very long shot. Rep. John Conyers Jr. [5] (D-Mich.) has introduced a bill that would expand Medicare [6] to "provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents." In other words, it would build on the successful single-payer insurance program that already covers more than 55 million people and bring the United States in line with almost all other developed nations in providing taxpayer-funded health coverage for everyone. Needless to say, the legislation -- HR 676 [7] -- has no chance of passage by the Republican-controlled Congress. However, the fact that such a bill exists serves as a reminder that there are some in positions of power who understand the pitfalls of the U.S.'s private-sector-dominated health insurance system, and who are willing to place national interest ahead of corporate profits. Also, some backers of the legislation think there's at least one prominent Republican who might come around to their way of thinking. Taking 20 million people out of Obamacare is going to help our cause. We've got all the arguments on our side. -- Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) "Donald Trump is a businessman, not a lifetime politician," said Dr. Carol Paris, head of Physicians for a National Health Program, which represents 20,000 doctors who support creation of a U.S. single-payer insurance system. "HR 676 is a formula for good business. It makes good business sense." She'll get no argument from me. A 2014 study [8] by the Commonwealth Fund compared the U.S. healthcare system to those of 10 other developed countries, including Canada, Germany, France and Britain. It found that the United States had by far the most expensive system in the world but trailed its peers in delivering bang for its healthcare bucks. Administrative costs -- paperwork, incompatible computer systems, interactions between doctors, hospitals and hundreds of insurers -- eat up about 25% of U.S. healthcare spending. Meanwhile, at an average of more than $10,000 per person, the United States pays more for healthcare annually than any other developed country without any significant improvement in outcome, such as longer life expectancy. The typical American can expect to live to 79, whereas citizens of other developed nations will live past 80, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. "International experience shows that single-payer financing systems, like the one described in Rep. Conyers' bill, are the fairest and most cost-effective way to assure that everyone gets high-quality care," Paris said. Conyers, however, isn't holding his breath. He told me he doesn't think Trump -- whom he described as "erratic" -- will suddenly embrace the common-sense advantages of Medicare for all. Nor does he think House Republicans will be flexible in their thinking. "This is not something that they're going to buy into," Conyers said, "even though countries with universal healthcare find that it costs less and is healthier for people. We're just too polarized right now." Nevertheless, he said he's optimistic about the future. Conyers expects the Republicans' replacement of Obamacare to be so troublesome that the public will grow increasingly receptive to new ideas. This will allow a case to be made for Medicare expansion. "Taking 20 million people out of Obamacare is going to help our cause," he said. "We've got all the arguments on our side." His bill already has 51 co-sponsors, including California's Judy Chu [9], Mark DeSaulnier [10], John Garamendi [11], Jared Huffman [12], Barbara Lee [13], Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren [14], Grace Napolitano [15], Lucille Roybal-Allard and Mark Takano [16]. No Republicans have signed on. Under HR 676, "all individuals residing in the United States (including any territory of the United States) are covered under the Medicare For All Program, entitling them to a universal, best quality standard of care." The bill would cover primary care, emergency care, prescription drugs, medical equipment, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, chiropractic services, basic vision care and other healthcare needs. And try this on for size: "No deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or other cost-sharing shall be imposed with respect to covered benefits." Instead, funding would be made primarily through payroll taxes, as is already the case with Medicare and Social Security. A 2013 analysis [17] of an earlier version of Conyers' legislation by Gerald Friedman, a healthcare economist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, found that progressive federal tax payments "would cost less for 95% of households" than the current system of deductibles, premiums and copayments. He also concluded that because of huge administrative savings and greater negotiating strength with hospitals, doctors and drug companies, a Medicare-for-all system "would make it possible to provide universal coverage and comprehensive benefits to future generations." This isn't "socialism" and it isn't "government-run healthcare." Doctors would still be free to practice medicine as they see fit. It's simply a more effective and efficient way of managing healthcare risk for the entire population. Private health insurers would battle ferociously to prevent such a change, but they wouldn't be put out of business. Rather than providing total coverage, they'd simply shift to offering supplemental plans, as they already do. A more competitive market for added coverage would only benefit Americans. It's widely believed that Republican replacements for the Affordable Care Act will include health savings accounts coupled with high-deductible plans from private insurers, as well as high-risk pools for people with pre-existing conditions that all but guarantee limited coverage and sky-high premiums. Think about that. Now think about the broad coverage featured in Conyers' bill being available for less than what you pay now. Think about having the same coverage regardless of your job (or lack thereof). Think about the number of people without insurance dropping to zero. Think about Americans finally enjoying the same healthcare benefits as the rest of the developed world. What's not to like? _David Lazarus is an award-winning business columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on consumer affairs. He also appears daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and is a part-time radio host. His work appears in newspapers across the country and has resulted in a variety of laws protecting consumers._ Distributed by: All Unions Committee for Single Payer Health Care--HR 676 [18] c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO) 1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218 Louisville, KY 40217 (502) 636 1551 Email: nursenpo at aol.com [19] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [20] https://www.facebook.com/unionsforsinglepayer [21] HR 676 [22] would institute a single payer health care system by expanding a greatly improved Medicare to everyone residing in the U. S. Patients will choose their own physicians and hospitals. HR 676 [23] would cover every person for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental (including oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics), mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care and correction, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment, palliative care, podiatric care, and long term care. HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds of billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry. HR 676 has been endorsed by 627 union organizations including 152 Central Labor Councils/Area Labor Federations and 44 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI, MT, NE, NJ, NY, NV, MA, RI, NH, ID). The list of union endorsers. [24] The sample endorsement resolution. [25] 02/06/2017 Links: ------ [1] https://www.congress.gov/search?q={%22congress%22:%22115%22,%22source%22:%22legislation%22,%22search%22:%22hr%20676%22}&searchResultViewType=expanded [2] http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-medicare-for-all-20170203-story.html [3] http://www.latimes.com/business/lanews-david-lazarus-20130507-staff.html#nt=byline [4] http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-all-things-trump [5] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/john-conyers-jr.-PEPLT001287-topic.html [6] http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/healthcare/medicare-HEPRG00002-topic.html [7] https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/676?r=26 [8] http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/press-releases/2014/jun/us-health-system-ranks-last [9] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/judy-chu-PEPLT001110-topic.html [10] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/mark-desaulnier-PEPLT00008175-topic.html [11] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/john-garamendi-PEPLT007833-topic.html [12] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/jared-huffman-PEPLT00008584-topic.html [13] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/barbara-lee-PEPLT003836-topic.html [14] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/zoe-lofgren-PEPLT003976-topic.html [15] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/grace-f.-napolitano-PEPLT004786-topic.html [16] http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/mark-takano-PEPLT0008993-topic.html [17] http://www.pnhp.org/sites/default/files/Funding%20HR%20676_Friedman_7.31.13_proofed.pdf [18] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [19] mailto:nursenpo at aol.com [20] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [21] https://www.facebook.com/unionsforsinglepayer [22] https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/676/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr676%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 [23] https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/676/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr676%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 [24] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/union_endorsers [25] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/tools/sample_resolution -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From editor at unionsforsinglepayerhealthcare.org Tue Feb 28 12:42:13 2017 From: editor at unionsforsinglepayerhealthcare.org (Single Payer News) Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2017 12:42:13 -0500 Subject: Chicago UAW Local 551 Endorses HR 676, Improved Medicare for All Message-ID: <7745b83124f9293d3f089e615d440743@unionsforsinglepayerhealthcare.org> CHICAGO UAW LOCAL 551 ENDORSES HR 676, IMPROVED MEDICARE FOR ALL At its February meeting, UAW Local 551, which represents workers at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, endorsed HR 676, Congressman John Conyers' national single payer legislation, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. UAW Local 551 Vice President Scott Houldieson reports that the local "made note that negotiations over healthcare continue to consume a large portion of the money the union negotiates over. This holds back wages and pensions." "We also believe in Social Justice for all workers," said Houldieson. "Because of this we know that a single payer system covering every American from cradle to grave is the moral thing to do." Houldieson says that the local "took guidance from the delegates to the 35th Constitutional Convention which set International UAW policy. At that convention we debated our support for the Affordable Care Act, noting that while the Act was a step in the right direction, we still believe National single Payer Health care is the proper remedy." The Chicago Assembly Plant, where UAW Local 551 workers build the Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer, and the Police Interceptor, is the company's oldest continually-operated automobile manufacturing plant. The local also represents workers at Voith, ABM, and USA. Hale Landes of IBEW Local 134 reports that the Labor Outreach Committee of the Illinois Single Payer Coalition initiated the discussion of endorsement of HR 676 with the UAW local. The resolution passed the UAW Local 551 Executive Board unanimously and was approved by the membership with the approval of the Board minutes. The full resolution is below: UAW LOCAL 551 RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE WHEREAS, the delegates to the 35th Constitutional Convention while supporting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a good beginning step stated; We remain convinced that a single-payer system is the best way to control costs while providing universal access to high quality care; and we are committed to building an aggressive strategy to educate lobby and mobilize to achieve that goal; and WHEREAS, many in Congress have called for the repeal and replacement of the ACA; and WHEREAS, workers, their families, and their unions are waging an increasingly difficult struggle to win or keep good health benefits; and WHEREAS, almost every union at every contract deadline must battle and sacrifice merely to sustain health insurance benefits; and WHEREAS, the rising cost of health insurance premiums are blocking worker progress in wages, job growth, and other areas. All of our unions face a health care crisis; and WHEREAS, economic necessities and moral conscience compel us to seek a better way; and WHEREAS, Congressman John Conyers Jr. has introduced H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. A.K.A. "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All;" and WHEREAS, H.R. 676 will cover every person in the United States for all necessary medical care from birth to death; therefore be it RESOLVED that UAW Local 551 endorses Congressman Conyers H.R. 676 Bill "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All;" and be it further RESOLVED that UAW Local 551 will work with other unions and community groups to build support and action for H.R. 676 until we make what is morally right for our nation into what is also politically possible; and be it finally RESOLVED that UAW Local 551 will take other actions to mobilize our members and the community at a grassroots level, to encourage other members of the House to sign on as co-sponsors of H.R. 676 and to encourage Senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. Issued by: All Unions Committee for Single Payer Health Care--HR 676 [1] c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO) 1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218 Louisville, KY 40217 (502) 636 1551 Email: nursenpo at aol.com [2] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [3] https://www.facebook.com/unionsforsinglepayer [4] HR 676 [5] would institute a single payer health care system by expanding a greatly improved Medicare to everyone residing in the U. S. Patients will choose their own physicians and hospitals. HR 676 [6] would cover every person for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental (including oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics), mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care and correction, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment, palliative care, podiatric care, and long term care. HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds of billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry. HR 676 has been endorsed by 628 union organizations including 152 Central Labor Councils/Area Labor Federations and 44 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI, MT, NE, NJ, NY, NV, MA, RI, NH, ID). The list of union endorsers. [7] The sample endorsement resolution. [8] 02/28/2017 Links: ------ [1] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [2] mailto:nursenpo at aol.com [3] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org [4] https://www.facebook.com/unionsforsinglepayer [5] https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/676/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr676%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 [6] https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/676/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr676%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 [7] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/union_endorsers [8] http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/tools/sample_resolution -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: