Reply #13: "It took the Obama position as the left edge of the debate.",,,,

[sisters6]

have you seen this. good article.


Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject The Policy That Dare Not Speak Its Name - Medicare for All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5898631#5898631
5898631, The Policy That Dare Not Speak Its Name - Medicare for All
Posted by slipslidingaway on Mon Jun-22-09 04:46 PM

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/june/the_policy_that_dare.php

"Robert Kuttner
The Huffington Post
June 22, 2009

I’m sure I’m not the only reader who noticed the juxtaposition of two front page stories in Sunday’s New York Times dealing with health care. The first article cited a new Times-CBS poll showing that 72 percent of Americans favored a government run health plan comparable to Medicare, which would be available to everyone.

The second reported on a rogue radiologist at a Philadelphia VA hospital who botched 92 prostate procedures...


However, that’s only the beginning of the story. The reform package, as drafted by the Obama administration and the House leadership, is dubious legislation even with the inclusion of a public option. Basically, it leaves the two worst aspects of the system intact. First, private insurers will continue to dominate. Second, most people will continue to get their insurance through their employers...


Indeed, the Sunday New York Times-CBS poll didn’t even offer Medicare-for-All as a free-standing option. It took the Obama position as the left edge of the debate.

As for that rogue doctor at the Philadelphia veterans’ hospital, quality control is not what it should be throughout our fragmented system. And the oases of public medicine are particularly starved for resources. Yet studies consistently find that on average, the VA does more with less than its private sector competitors. Phil Longman has written the definitive book on the subject, “Best Care Anywhere.” Here is a summary.

In this case, the offending radiologist, Dr. Gary D. Kao, was actually a contract employee and not a VA physician.

Only by having a comprehensive system can we marry quality, cost-effective care, and universal access. One of these days, a national leader will have the nerve to embrace national health insurance and fight for it. Until then, we will keep paying more money for less care, and liberals will defend reforms they themselves scarcely believe in."