I've been tormented about whether to compromise on my support for single payer health insurance. It makes so much sense to me. It's popular among physicians. Six months ago national health insurance seemed popular in national polls. But we keep being told that it's "not on the table" by the six senators in the senate finance committee (whose constituents represent less than 3% of the US population), and it has failed to gain momentum.
Well, even though I feel betrayed by the President and disgusted about our "Democratic" process, I think a health care bill needs to pass that covers everyone and guarantees an affordable option, and I've decided to put my energy into promoting this even if it doesn't mean single payer.
Now, I certainly understand people being less passionate about a vague public health insurance option than single payer, but I also think there is misinformation on "our side" about the current health care bills.
Even if HR3200 is not ideal, I can think of several of my patients who would benefit from exchanges and a public option; the industry regulations are not meaningless and would protect people from being denied insurance or dropped from their insurance for prior conditions; expanding Medicaid would help millions; the development of a center for comparative effectiveness research will improve quality and help control costs; and there will be some improvements to the primary care infrastructure.
Whether its single payer or a public health insurance option, I’m going to stay positive and support the efforts for universal coverage.
There were 3000 people in Times Square yesterday (according to the police) in support of reform, and I think we need to stop fighting about who is most right and just get out there.
http://abclocal.go.com/...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I spoke to lots of people about both single payer and the current bills being considered. I spoke at a community meeting last week and people had questions about both. Our NYC group with the National Physicians Alliance has met with most of our Congressional representatives and they are mostly on the same page - they'll push for single payer but don't look at a strong public health insurance option as failure.
I just don’t think telling people that single payer health insurance is the only option will work (I’m not an expert on comparative health systems, but I don’t think it’s true either – France, Germany, Japan, and other countries have well functioning health care systems without single payer; And if we’re talking about good outcomes with low costs and health equity, it seems like Cuba would be a much better example than Canada).
I believe that profits have no place in health care, so I feel like a sell out in supporting a bill that does little to address this, but I also think my patients, patients in states with limited Medicaid coverage, small business owners, people without employer sponsored coverage, and even people with private insurance will benefit from HR 3200, so I can put my politics aside for now. People are dying or going bankrupt because of our health care system, so lets get out there and do something about it.