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merrily

(45,251 posts)
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 01:50 PM Jul 2015

Help Bernie: Show your support for MEDICARE FOR ALL.

This is a newsletter from June 25. Sorry if it's already been posted.

To: merrily
info@BernieSanders.com
Bernie Sanders for President

Add your name if you agree that the only long-term health care solution for America is a Medicare-for-all single-payer system.

https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/medicare-for-all?source=em150625a-medicare-for-all&utm_medium=email&utm_source=berniesanders&utm_campaign=health-care&utm_content=aca-ruling

merrily -

Today, because of the Supreme Court's decision to protect the modest gains made under the Affordable Care Act, it is a good day for millions of Americans who will be able to keep their access to health care.

It's also a good day for the small business owners who, before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, couldn't afford the escalating cost of providing insurance for their employees.

But while I am glad the Supreme Court upheld the law, in my view, the only long-term solution to America's health care crisis is a Medicare-for-all single-payer system.

I start my approach to health care from two very simple premises:

1. Health care must be recognized as a right, not a privilege -- every man, woman and child in our country should be able to access quality care regardless of their income.

2. We must create a national system to provide care for every single American in the most cost-effective way possible.

Tragically, the United States fails in both areas.

The health insurance lobbyists and big pharmaceutical companies make "national health care" sound scary. It's not.

In fact, a large single-payer system already exists in the United States. It's called Medicare and the people enrolled give it high marks. More importantly, it has succeeded in providing near-universal coverage to Americans over age 65 in a very cost-effective manner.

It's time to expand that program to all Americans.

If we are serious about providing high-quality, affordable care as a right for all Americans, the only solution to this crisis is a Medicare-for-all single-payer system. Add your name to our petition if you agree.

The American people understand that our current health care system is not working.

They understand that the profiteering of the pharmaceutical industry and private insurance companies causes the United States to spend more per capita on health care than any other nation, while our life expectancy, infant mortality and preventable deaths outcomes are worse than most other countries.

We should be spending our money on care and disease prevention, not paper-pushing and debt collection. But the simple truth is that our efforts to eliminate waste and profiteering are endangered by these powerful corporate interests.

A single-payer system will expand employment and lift a major financial weight off of businesses burdened by employee health expenses. And the millions of Americans stuck in jobs they don't like, they would be free to explore more productive opportunities as they desire.

I attempted to offer a single-payer amendment during the Affordable Care Act debate, but my efforts were blocked.

But our time will come.

Add your name to mine if you agree it's time for America to adopt a Medicare-for-all single-payer health care system.

https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/medicare-for-all?source=em150625a-medicare-for-all&utm_medium=email&utm_source=berniesanders&utm_campaign=health-care&utm_content=aca-ruling

I am convinced today more than ever before that universal quality health care as a right will eventually become the law of the land. It is the only way forward.

Thank you for adding your name to mine,

Bernie Sanders
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Help Bernie: Show your support for MEDICARE FOR ALL. (Original Post) merrily Jul 2015 OP
I definitely believe that healthcare if a right we all deserve. pennylane100 Jul 2015 #1
The UK is ranked well above the US. merrily Jul 2015 #2
K&R..... daleanime Jul 2015 #3
kicking because Medicare for all is important. merrily Jul 2015 #4
K & R L0oniX Jul 2015 #5

pennylane100

(3,425 posts)
1. I definitely believe that healthcare if a right we all deserve.
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 02:17 PM
Jul 2015

However, while I think that a single payer system should be available to all, we should all have the opportunity to pay extra for supplemental care. The reason I mention it is because of some of the stories of substandard care in the UK.

Many middle class people have opted to subsidize their health care with private plans. Some of my friends there have this coverage and they are very satisfied with it. However, the National Health Service plays an important role in providing health care for all that need it and should never be privatized.

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