Issue Position: Let's Talk About Healthcare in America

Issue Position

First, I think we can all agree that the healthcare system paid for by insurance is not working for the vast majority of the American people. For many of those that have health insurance it is expensive, high deductibles and co pays discourage using health care. 27 million Americans have almost no access to healthcare because they cannot afford the premiums.

Our health care system is, however, working very well for the Insurance companies and health care administrators. 30% of our insurance premiums are skimmed off by insurance companies and provider networks for advertising, executive salaries, stockholder dividends and insurance billing. For example, if your annual premiums are $10,000 only $7000 goes for actual healthcare.

Hospitals and clinics across the country are consolidating and increasing costs to patients in order to increase profit. (don't be confused by the "not-for-profit" label some use. It's all about the money). Profit also distorts the allocation of healthcare facilities in our country. If you have a rural community, access to healthcare is limited because there is no or too little profit to have facilities there.

As long as healthcare is tied to profit, we will have a broken healthcare system.

The United States health care system costs over $9,000 per person. Canada, which has a single- payer Health care system paid for by taxes to the government, only costs $4,500 per person.

Yet, in spite of paying only half as much for healthcare, Canadians live 4 years longer than Americans!

When we treat health care as a human right, the picture changes. Think Medicare. All citizens over the age of 65 have universal access to the healthcare they need. The insurance is a public "tax", the healthcare is private run. It has been successful for decades and seniors have a sense of security because of this program.

What is the barrier preventing the creation of a universal "Medicare for all"? It is insurance and drug companies who spend millions of dollars lobbying Congress and Citizens United allows them to contribute huge sums of money directly to Congressional campaigns. All of that money, buys a lot influence and is why the needs of the people are not met.

A single-payer health care system is the beginning of the work toward a just and sustainable society. Health care is a human right! As your US Representative in Congress, I will not be bought, I will fight for single payer.

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