Jonathan Tasini: Red Herrings And Single Payer Health Care

[marmar]

Red Herrings And Single Payer Health Care
by Jonathan Tasini

Friday 22 of May, 2009


Yesterday, I was back at CNBC debating the topic of unions and the auto industry. I don't mind debating people who disagree with me based on solids facts. But, the discussion was entirely ludicrous. The premise of the debate: the UAW is employing a "double standard" because the auto industry is collapsing but, oh my god, the UAW is holding on to the education center it runs in upper Michigan...if it would just sell the center, then, things would get better. I mean, this is beyond ludicrous and absurd.

I've been to the Black Lake center a number of times. It's a place where the UAW brings leaders and rank-and-file members, and their families, to learn about union history and upgrade negotiating and leadership skills. It is way up there in Michigan, about a 6-7 hour car ride from Detroit...

Let's say you wanted to sell the place. I'm not sure who would buy it--it is fairly remote and there are not a lot of people in the 'hood that would use it. And I'm not sure you could market it as a destination point for the wealthy. But, even if you could sell it, how much would you get. IS THIS THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY?

What I tried to say, repeatedly, is that the real crisis facing the auto industry is the tens of billions of dollars in health care costs weighing down the cost structure of the business--a problem that is faced by other industries, as well. And that problem, my friends, is a long-standing issue that could have been solved if we had had a single-payer, Medicare for All health care system in this country. And we could still do so. The only reason we don't have that system--the only system that makes economic and moral sense--is precisely because of politics and greed: the power of the private insurance industry, coupled with an ideologically constipated debate, is blocking any real change.

You can see the exhange here.


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