With the pending drive-off-the-cliff approach which the Republican representatives and senators are taking with health care reform, it is time for all of us – regardless of who we voted for – to seriously consider a single-payer financing plan.
This is not socialized medicine and not unachievable, despite single payer having been demonized and lobbied out of consideration by the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies. It is the reasonable way forward to controlling health care costs without sacrificing the health of the lower-earning two-thirds of Americans. There is a bill before the House, HR676, which has the sponsorship of more than half of the Democrats (sadly, not including Shea-Porter and Kuster), called “Improved-Medicare-for-All.”
We should ask our representatives to sign on. And we can ask our NH Legislature to provide some leadership in preparing for the coming crisis. Join us on Sunday at 2 p.m., for a panel discussion and informational meeting on Medicare for All at MainStreet BookEnds of Warner.
Donald Kollisch
Hanover