[Peace-discuss] The campaign for Single Payer Medicare for All Health Care

[David Johnson]

In a single-payer system, all health care money goes into one pot, and all health care services are paid for out of that pot (the "single payer"). There are no private insurance companies standing between patients and their health care. Patients have free choice of qualified health care providers, and providers are free to work with patients and families to determine the care they need-knowing their patients can afford it.
The purpose of single-payer health care
First and foremost, it ensures that everyone has access to the health care they need-it makes health care a basic right, not a privilege available only to those who can afford it. And because everyone is covered by the same system, we all have a stake in making it the best system possible.

Second, single-payer saves money. It is the most administratively efficient, cost-effective system of financing, so we get the greatest value for the money we spend. Besides cutting paperwork and eliminating insurance company profits, the system saves money through health system planning and negotiated prices for goods and services, and by investing in public health and encouraging community-based care.

Role of the government
In a single-payer system, the primary role of government is to collect and distribute funds. Most care will continue to be privately delivered. Providers may choose to work for themselves, for a not-for-profit organization, or for a public entity. Independent boards that include consumers and providers set guidelines for what services are covered; the boards also decide how to distribute money and resources to facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.

Contrast to the recent health care reform
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) makes some improvements for some people, but it leaves millions uncovered or under-insured, and many people who are covered will still find health care unaffordable. A major drawback is that it leaves in place the nation's multiple insurance companies, with huge profits, outrageous marketing expenses, frequent claim denials and complex, time-consuming paperwork for patients and providers. Insurance companies are legally obligated to serve their shareholders' interests, not to work in the best interests of patients or their communities.

Single-Payer Legislation
ISPC supports Single-Payer Legislation in Illinois and Nationally!
Illinois
  a.. Read a synopsis or the full text of HB 942 (formerly HB 311) the Illinois Universal Health Care Act. (This is essentially the same as the national bill HR 676; see below.)

  b.. View a summary of the bill from PNHP - Illinois 

National
Two approaches to creating a single-payer health care system are represented by proposed national legislation:

1. Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (HR676)
  a.. Read the full text here.
  b.. View a summary of the bill, here, from Physicians for a National Health Program.
  c.. View a summary, here, from Healthcare-Now.
2. American Health Security Act (companion bills S915/HR1200)
  a.. Read the full text here or here.  
  b.. Get a summary and additional information on these bills, from Healthcare-Now!, here. 
Comparison between the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act and the American Health Security Act.
  a.. From PNHP, side by side comparison between certain features of the two bills here.
  b.. From PNHP, 2009 analysis of defects of HR 1200 compared to HR 676, 
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