Gen. Colin Powell calls for universal health care in the U.S.

[kpete]

Gen. Colin Powell calls for universal health care in the U.S.

Former Secretary of State and longtime Republican Colin Powell is calling for a universal health care solution in the U.S.

“We are a wealthy enough country with the capacity to make sure that every one of our fellow citizens has access to quality health care,” he said Thursday at a Seattle fundraiser for prostate cancer. “(Let’s show) the rest of the world what our democratic system is all about and how we take care of all of our citizens."

...

“I am not an expert in health care, or Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, or however you choose to describe it, but I do know this: I have benefited from that kind of universal health care in my 55 years of public life,” Powell said. “And I don’t see why we can’t do what Europe is doing, what Canada is doing, what Korea is doing, what all these other places are doing.”



MORE:
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2013/12/colin-powell-calls-for-universal.html?ana=e_ptl_hc

[Thinkingabout]

1. Universal health coverage would cut out the insurance companies and cost would drop

by a bundle. A recent experience in France provided health care for a broken ankle at a cost of $36. Guess what, no waiting, was seen by the doctor and referred to orthopedic and left with a cast in three hours. How long did it take to see an orthopedic after the return to the US, twelve days, guess which country has the waiting lines.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. A pathway to single-payer *is* included in the PPACA under the State Innovation Waiver:

Description
Section 1332 of Obamacare allows HHS to grant so called "State Innovation Waivers." Such waivers, beginning in 2017, would exempt states from certain requirement of Obamacare—but only if the state plan covers at least as many people as Obamacare, for a cost at least as affordable, and coverage at least as comprehensive. Plus, the plan must not increase the federal deficit.

The Obama administration touts this waiver as giving flexibility to the states. But the requirements to gain this flexibility preclude market-based solutions. http://obamacarewatcher.org/topic/state-innovation-waivers

The only other plan that can do this is single-payer. President Obama and Democrats understood that, in order to implement a fairly costly system in our giant country (single-payer) was to take from the Canadians how they did it (that took 30 years to implement because they did it province to province) and to do it State by State, not directly through the Federal Gov't. Most of the funds necessary to implement the costly start-up for single-payer in States will also be provided then.

I know the link is to an anti-PPACA site that's pro-corporate, but that's where they usually dig down deeply into a law in order to protect corporations from a certain law, hence the mention at the end that "the requirements to gain this flexibility preclude market-based solutions".

This is, I believe, the true reason why ProfitCare and Corporate America are working so hard and spending so much to defeat the PPACA before 2017 and before Americans are used to having affordable health care.

Single-payer appears to be coming to America sooner than we think.

[cilla4progress]

3. We are so brainwashed here

in America!

Go Powell. RINO? Or new direction for responsible moderate Republicans?

[Sunlei]

4. I stand with Gen. Powell and call for universal health care for ALL!

“And I don’t see why we can’t do what Europe is doing, what Canada is doing, what Korea is doing, what all these other places are doing.”

[Ligyron]

5. I wonder how Faux and RW radio will cover Powell's remarks

if they mention it at all

[mazzarro]

8. Pow! there goes teapublican heads exploding all over the place

I expect a new round of condemnations from the likes of Limpbone, Palin - the big idiot, Hannity - the hampster, etc. Yeah, we will hear him described in all sorts of languages with derision.

[Phentex]

6. But will anyone listen?

We know this is where we are headed. Why can't people listen and understand now?

[Joe Bacon]

9. Our Corporate Controlled Conservative Press won't allow it

They will lie any lie for Wall Street.

[awoke_in_2003]

7. Why can't we do it?

Because insurance companies don't want it, and they own enough politicians of both parties to make sure it doesn't happen. When it comes down to it, we really have one party- the corporate party. Sure, they have different stands on social issues, but that is just to keep us fighting so we don't see that both are screwing us. Bread and circus.

[Half-Century Man]

10. Base the treatment on Military style health care.

We have been running a very successful universal health care system for well over half a century.

[Sunlei]

11. good idea, use the military system.Up and runs well- due to the wars-wars over move in the civies.

[Half-Century Man]

12. I have to admit, I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic.

If you are not, I beg your pardon.
Just saying, as a military brat I grew up with a good universal health care system. If you needed medical, dental, or vision care, you made an appointment and went to get be treated. the end. No bills. No insurance bullshit.
Gen. Powell is very familial with a system that works and might be frustrated with on that is designed to surgical remove money before tumors.

[Sunlei]

13. I mean use the military heathcare system for all citizens. Use the bases,VA hospitals & personal

like you said, "If you needed medical, dental, or vision care, you made an appointment and went to get be treated. the end. No bills. No insurance bullshit."

The state of Vermont will have that type of healthcare system.

[Half-Century Man]

15. Yeah....so sweet

the taste of a win for the citizens