Single-Payer Health System Only Solution to Health Care Crisis, Kucinich Says

[babylonsister]

Single-Payer Health System Only Solution to Health Care Crisis, Kucinich Says
By Marie Horrigan | 4:53 PM; Oct. 25, 2007


As the sole Democratic presidential candidate advocating a nationalized health coverage system, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio underscored his progressive credentials on Thursday by arguing the only solution for the country’s health care crisis is to have the government be the only payer of health care services.

“I am the one candidate — the one candidate — who stands here with and for the American people, and I do so with an understanding of what people go through,” he said.

Kucinich spoke at a forum in Washington held by Families USA and Federation of American Hospitals, which have scheduled a series of appearances by presidential candidates to discuss their health care proposals. Another White House aspirant, Democratic Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, was scheduled to address a separate forum later on Thursday.

“I am the only candidate running who is talking about a single-payer, not-for-profit health care system — Medicare for all. ... None of the other candidates will take the stand that I’m taking, and the American people have a right to ask why,” Kucinich said.

Asserting that health care coverage is “a basic right in a democratic society,” Kucinich said that mandated universal health care systems offered by other Democrats, including front-running Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, were no different than plans offered by Republicans.

“Can the maintenance of a for-profit system serve the American people? I don’t think that it can,” he said. Special interests, including the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, had effectively coopted his Democratic colleagues, Kucinich said. “Health is being used as an engine to accelerate the wealth of the nation upwards,” he said.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/10/singlepayer_health_system_only.html

[Maat]

1. It's true!

Truer words were never spoken!

Heathcare is a fundamental right, as far as I'm concerned, and the industry should not be a for-profit one.

[bigwillq]

2. DK! DK!

:bounce: Thank you for standing up for what I believe in.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. Well said

[stevedeshazer]

9. Said it before, WHEN CRABS ROAR

Best name ever.

[flordehinojos]

4. i agree!

[rodeodance]

5. I agree, but the first tier is being timid

[bicentennial_baby]

6. I heart my candidate

:loveya:

[rjones2818]

7. We have a choice...

Vote for keeping the status quo with some window dressing, or vote for the candidate who's for Universal Single Payer Not for Profit Health Care for all Americans. And Dennis won't be vindictive. Those who vot against it, once it passes, will be covered.

BTW: To the Greatest Page for you!

Go Dennis! :woohoo:
http://dennis4president.com
Choose Peace!

[LWolf]

8. He's right. n/t

[kenfrequed]

10. I don't care who you support

Dennis Kucinich is right on this one.

A privately public required insurance will do nothing but line the pockets of the HMO's and insurance companies.

[truedelphi]

12. To the horrible tune of 33% or

One third of every dollar spent on health will still go to the insurance executives.

[Nederland]

11. Did space aliens tell him that?

...or Shirley Maclaine?

[slipslidingaway]

13. Thanks K&R also...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=50402#55185

In depth discussion of the Kucinich NOT FOR PROFIT plan. If healthcare is important to you or our nation this is a must see discussion. Please pass this along so people will understand the difference between the healthcare systems being offered.

Each part is roughly a half hour.

snips from the first video...

Speaking of the government paying for Medicare and Medicaid which props up insurance company profits by removing two segments of citizens who have high health care needs.

Arnie Arnesen

"We left the insurance company with the youngest, healthiest people and no wonder they are making a profit, because we've taken away the most expensive part of healthcare, which obviously is going to constantly sink us like a stone. Because insurance is about spreading the risk, we don't spread the risk, in fact what we do is prop up the insurance industry. Which is why they are so frightened about changing anything in the way of a system because it is about their profits and their CEO's and not about our healthcare..."

Dennis Kucinich

"For profit insurance companies make money not providing healthcare..."

[philly_bob]

14. Kucinich & Gore the only Dems who speak the truth on this. /nt