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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSanders will introduce universal health care, backed by 15 Democrats
Sanders will introduce universal health care, backed by 15 DemocratsBy David Weigel September 12 at 10:00 PM
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will introduce legislation on Wednesday that would expand Medicare into a universal health insurance program with the backing of at least 15 Democratic senators a record level of support for an idea that had been relegated to the fringes during the last Democratic presidency.
This is where the country has got to go, Sanders said in an interview at his Senate office. Right now, if we want to move away from a dysfunctional, wasteful, bureaucratic system into a rational health-care system that guarantees coverage to everyone in a cost-effective way, the only way to do it is Medicare for All.
The bill would revolutionize Americas health-care system, replacing it with a public system that would be paid for by higher taxes. Everything from emergency surgery to prescription drugs, from mental health to eye care, would be covered, with no co-payments. Americans younger than 18 would immediately obtain universal Medicare cards, while Americans not currently eligible for Medicare would be phased into the program over four years. Employer-provided health care would be replaced, with the employers paying higher taxes but no longer on the hook for insurance.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/sanders-will-introduce-universal-health-care-backed-by-15-democrats/2017/09/12/d590ef26-97b7-11e7-87fc-c3f7ee4035c9_story.html?utm_term=.71513052c567
RandiFan1290
(6,238 posts)Glad to see them standing up for all of the people and not just their wealthy constituents.
democrank
(11,096 posts)Thanks to Bernie and all courageous Democratic senators who support this important step toward universal health care.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Because the details haven't been considered, and lord knows talking about what happened in Vermont is VERBOTEN, let alone the lessons learned from it.
I believe that many Democrats are doing what GOP leaders have done who really didn't think that defunding Planned Parenthood was going to produce the result of fewer abortions, and would in fact do the opposite, but knew if they didn't jump on that train, they would be primaried.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)President Obama was a sober thinking president. He knew how to extract the optimum good for the people relative to the political environment. I fear that millions will lose health insurance because some politicians are chasing a dream that is not politically viable at this time.
KPN
(15,646 posts)from the get go? It won't be because the ACA was put in place by a guy named Barack Obama, an African-American President? Millions will lose health access all because Bernie Sanders is an ego maniac?
That's silly. Just stop it please.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)Will be free to de-fund and kill the ACA. After repeal and replace failed, many Repubs are warming up to the idea of fixing the ACA. In that context, I don't think Sanders' timing could be worse.
KPN
(15,646 posts)people of all stripes. The timing is perfect. This just shores up the ACA further for now.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)They will claim that even the Dems don't support the ACA anymore. After repeal and replace failed, we now have the opportunity to fix the ACA with Republican support. We would be foolish to take our eyes off of that ball. Let's fix the ACA first and then Sanders can cry from the mountain tops about single payer for all I care.
KPN
(15,646 posts)socialism and communism. The momentum is with us and single payer. I just got back from a wildfire where I talked with southern good old boys from Mississippi who were saying the health system (not ACA) is broke and needs to be fixed because "health shouldn't be a commodity" subject to capitalistic goals. We need to promote what is right. The majority are with us -- we need to be with them. Not being with them is how we got to where we are as a party. Time to move forward man.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)KPN
(15,646 posts)Of course we don't have the numbers in Congress. But we will, especially if we push and promote this now. Not doing so would be the Party's death knell ... and most of the nails are already in the coffin as far as I can tell.
Time to get on board man ... or step aside please. I'm just one old man who intends like millions of others to take the party back to its roots come hell or highwater. Why not come with us? We need you.
tiredtoo
(2,949 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)option instead of going for something that can't happen and wasting time the ACA doesn't have. The GOP tried to kill the ACA and couldn't , but Sen. Sander may succeed...God help us.
Autumn
(45,109 posts)If they can't repeal it they will work on other ways to get rid of it. The GOP will do whatever it takes to get rid of it.
Voltaire2
(13,072 posts)Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)Voltaire2
(13,072 posts)We will defend the ACA. We need to win big in 2018. This is one way to do that. That is why many Democratic leaders are getting on board.
Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)And now is a critical time.
Voltaire2
(13,072 posts)There were some feelers put out about actual repairs, but they pretty much went nowhere. It still might happen after the tax cut disaster wraps up.
The point is to change the narrative entirely. We will continue to defend the ACA and we are going to make Medicare for All a campaign theme for 2018. It reframes the whole debate. It is a great way to unbalance the Republicans.
Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)Lee Adama
(90 posts)At least it is out there as an issue to shore up blue districts and perhaps become a swaying point in certain swing districts.
Then maybe we can get it passed in 2019 and have the Cheeto Mussolini veto it and help sway the 2020 election.
George II
(67,782 posts)sacto95834
(393 posts)You are likely right, but at least the issue is being talked about. Look how long it took to get the ACA....it was seriously discussed during the Clinton era and almost two decades latter it was passed into law by Obama.
Regardless of what happens to this particular bill, it becomes a issue that can be taken to the 2018 mid term elections. It can only help the Democrats. If you can't have the law, you want the issue to run on and keep on going until it does become law. The American public favors single payer, it's only a matter of time.
George II
(67,782 posts)...every year that he was in Congress. In fact, his father, who he succeeded, first introduced single payer in 1943 during the heat of WWII.
That's at least 74 years that it's been talked about.
As to your last sentence, I really don't think the American public really even knows what it is. Have you seen the "man on the street" interviews regarding health care? Just about every late-night talk show has done them - they ask Americans which is better - the Affordable Care Act of "Obamacare". Almost unanimously they said the ACA, not realizing that they're the same! That's how ignorant people are of real issues.
HarmonyRockets
(397 posts)and probably the 2020 candidate. It's being talked about much more seriously now. No offense to John Dingel.
And instead of relying on late-night talk show "man on the street" interviews, why don't you consult actual scientific surveys? Data has shown for years that a majority of Americans support universal healthcare.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,742 posts)The "spreading around the risk" part seems a foreign concept to a lot of people.
dalton99a
(81,526 posts)IronLionZion
(45,460 posts)since it is the best deal for employers.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Republican rich only healthcare/deathcare for the 99% or universal healthcare for all?
IronLionZion
(45,460 posts)and pay extra for luxury services to avoid sitting in the waiting rooms with us common folks
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)They can buy Tesla's and Cadillacs too.
I'll still drive my 35mpg beater.
mountain grammy
(26,626 posts)IronLionZion
(45,460 posts)while the wealthy pay for insurance and parking for their fancy cars.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)and chauffeur driven Mercedes at your arrival
IronLionZion
(45,460 posts)since it is so much cheaper even including airfare and recovery/rehab time
Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)It cost too much (taxes) and those with work insurance won't give it up...but we could fix the ACA and get a public option which will lead to universal coverage.
KPN
(15,646 posts)We are getting there -- helped in large part by Bernie's persistence and positive thinking. Yes we can! Maybe not his year or next, but it's coming. Naysayers will dwindle and step aside in time.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)KPN
(15,646 posts)and then the next one, and the next one, and the next .... Bernie's gotta be on about step 5000 by now. Some of us have only taken a few, some just one, and some have yet to take one (but they will if we keep stepping).
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Some poll said 60% are ready for this. I don't give a damn if the republicans controlled government will pass it or not!
We must do the right thing for the vast majority of Americans and F the damn republicans!
It will give lots of people a real good and personal reason to get off the sofa and go vote against those scumball anti american traitors in 2018 IMO!
KPN
(15,646 posts)It's sad that some folks think we should not do whats right because the republicans won't pass it.
We should fight the good fight ALWAYS!
F the odds!
How has this defeatism crept into our thoughts and actions?
It's sad and wrong IMO.
KPN
(15,646 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)..are right.
Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)UCmeNdc
(9,600 posts)mountain grammy
(26,626 posts)My answer is YES.. This is what we stand for and have for a long time. The ACA was a bandaid and we all know it. It was Romney's plan. Come on, DUers surely you don't hate Bernie Sanders so much that you would be negative about this. Sometimes I think we're our own worst enemies.
I'm calling my Dem Senator Bennet again today to ask him to get on board with this bill.
KPN
(15,646 posts)And I'm calling Ron Wyden (Merkley's already on board and has been from the get go).
Autumn
(45,109 posts)Duppers
(28,125 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)24/7/365!
Kosey
(5 posts)Just stop the Bernie bashing.
Bernie helped write the ACA. He was responsible for the inclusion of the health clinics in the bill that are so desperately needed.
The idea of a Medicare for all bill diminishes the ACA is total nonsense.
What we have now is unsustainable. Now 15 democrats support this idea. It's progress and we need universal healthcare no matter how we get there
I suspect there'd be more support here at DU if this wasn't Bernie's bill. We need to get over the past and move forward united. How can any Democrat be against single payer or any effort to give the notion more life? "Now is not the time" strikes me as just a foil. There will never be a good time given the rationales I've heard for that sort of thinking.
Thank you.
Kosey
(5 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Bradical79
(4,490 posts)mountain grammy
(26,626 posts)and a million more.
judesedit
(4,439 posts)Bradical79
(4,490 posts)With other nations on single payer and hybrid universal healthcare systems, it varies.
HarmonyRockets
(397 posts)as well as vision.
judesedit
(4,439 posts)KTM
(1,823 posts)From Hufflepuff article here.
Joe941
(2,848 posts)ACA is dead no one can afford it. Its time to make healthcare free and a human right.
SeloverB
(26 posts)You'll still pay, but you won't be paying "youge" amounts to profits for the insurance and drug companies, and their CEO's.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)There needs to be a better answer for people like you and me and many others no doubt.
SeloverB
(26 posts)Read the NYTimes OpEd by Bernie in today's NYTimes. Dental, Vision and Hearing are all expanded in the first year, the eligibility age dropped to 55, and everyone younger than 18 included. In the second year the age drops to 45, third year 35, and fourth year everyone is covered.
I just sent $10 bucks to support Bernie and this legislation, and e-mailed my Dem Senator asking WHY he wasn't listed as a co-sponsor. I recommend everyone do the same. If they see a surge in donations as this legislation is introduced, it will send a more powerful message than any number of e-mails will.
nini
(16,672 posts)Most Americans don't even understand what universal health care is.
Autumn
(45,109 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)You give the masses far too much credit.
They think Medicare is for old farts only.. they won't get why everyone can jump onboard unless it is drilled into their heads how it can work.
Autumn
(45,109 posts)Those who don't know can easily grasp it. Which is why talking about it and pushing it like Bernie and the Dems are doing is a good thing.
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Sometimes I wonder.
Arazi
(6,829 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Demsrule86
(68,593 posts)MontanaMama
(23,322 posts)about the chances of this bill passing. It may not pass but these conversations are worth having and after a time, one day, it just might be the law of the land. In the mean time, let's keep health care in the fore and let the repukes spout their crazy, exclusive "I've got mine who cares about you" rhetoric. Let them keep showing us who they are. It won't help them with many voters in the long run. I believe we'll get universal health care someday. I think people are ready to talk about what is possible.