[color=#333333]just a quick comment on the supreme court's decision to uphold the constitutionality of the obama healthcare legislation, i.e. that the single mandate stands.
i recently watched a fascinating video of a talk given by dr oliver fein, a member of the physicians for a national health program, that is doctors in favor of socialised medicine or as it is called in the us, 'single payer', analysing the obama health reform. his view on the supreme court decision was that the judges, and in particular chief justice john roberts, would rule in it favour for fear of what come if they didn't. in other words striking down obamacare would put single payer or other radical reform back on the table. well, roberts deserted his conservative colleagues and voted for obama's law. so dr fein may well be right. ...
[color=#333333]... [color=#333333]this statement just in from one of america's largest nursing unions:
[color=#333333]nurses: 'court ruling does not end healthcare crisis or the need to continue the campaign for reform'
[color=#333333]the supreme court decision should not be seen as the end of the efforts by health care activists for a permanent fix of our broken healthcare system, said the nation's largest union and professional association of registered nurses today.
[color=#333333]to achieve that end, the 175,000-member national nurses united pledged to step up a campaign for a reform that is not based on extending the grip of a failed private insurance system, but "on a universal program based on patient need, not on profits or ability to pay. that's medicare for all," said nnu co-president jean ross, rn. "it is not time to stop, but a reminder to begin that effort anew."
[color=#333333]"nurses experience the crisis our patients continue to endure every day. that's the reason we will continue to work for reform that is universal, that doesn't bankrupt families or leave patients in the often cruel hands of merciless insurance companies," said nnu co-president karen higgins, rn.
[color=#333333]stepping up the fight for medicare for all is even more critical in the midst of the still persistent economic crisis," added nnu co-president deborah burger, rn, noting that nurses have seen broad declines in health status among patients related to loss of jobs, homes, and health coverage. ...
