Sanders, McDermott push for single-payer health care

allnurses Guide · Jun 28, 2011

nurses union supports equal access for all

the view from the hospital floor where nurses give care 24/7 is quite a distance from the halls of congress, which is consumed with debates on debt ceilings. or from labor department cubicles, where monthly unemployment numbers are being crunched. or from corporate boardrooms, which are signing off on executive bonuses.

our view is of the immediate needs of the sick. still, in the end, these are pieces that inform a critical national discussion. for us, the question is: how can the richest country in the world-by far-be in such a serious crisis, and what can we do now to remedy it?

we nurses see the effects of the crisis up close. very close. the insecurity that engulfs american communities reveals itself in a rash of stress-induced illnesses: high blood pressure, stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, mental illness....

...anna smith, an emergency room nurse in oakland, calif., said, "we are seeing more kids, and we are seeing sicker kids. they are forced to use our er as their primary-care provider, and so when they come to us, they are really sick. asthma flares are more prevalent and more deadly. diets are high in fat, and children are developing pancreatitis, usually an adult illness."

if there is anyone who understands the logic and necessity of an expanded medicare for all, it is nurses. we support new federal legislation for single-payer health care-the sanders/mcdermott american health security act of 2011....

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-06-28/news/os-ed-health-care-jean-ross-062811-20110627_1_nurses-union-health-care-single-payer

jmqphd · Aug 14, 2011

Long as Sanders and McDermott are willing to use the same health care system they force us to use... they will have my respect.

Congress exempted themselves from Hillary Care. They exempt themselves from Obama Care. They will exempt themselves from single payer.

Doesn't that tell you something?

elkpark · Aug 14, 2011

Long as Sanders and McDermott are willing to use the same health care system they force us to use... they will have my respect.
Congress exempted themselves from Hillary Care. They exempt themselves from Obama Care. They will exempt themselves from single payer.
Doesn't that tell you something?

I'm not sure what you mean by they "exempt themselves from Obama Care" (totally apart from the pejorative "Obama Care" and "Hillary Care" references ...). Members of Congress and their families (as well as the President and her/his family) get their health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the same as everyone else who works for the Federal Government, from the President down to individuals mopping floors at the VA hospital or typing and filing at your local Social Security office. As far as I'm aware (and I followed the bill and the debate pretty closely), the new bill doesn't change anything for any Federal employees (remember all the talk of don't worry, if you are happy with the insurance you have now, you don't have to change anything?) Under the bill that was passed, members of Congress (and all other Federal employees) are still covered by the FEHBP -- it was not a matter of "exempting" themselves.

jmqphd · Aug 14, 2011

I honestly don't think you are aware of what's in the law. Or the thousands of waivers that are being sought and arbitrarily granted or denied by HHS.

elkpark · Aug 15, 2011

I honestly don't think you are aware of what's in the law. Or the thousands of waivers that are being sought and arbitrarily granted or denied by HHS.

Perhaps, since you're so much better informed about the law than I am, you could provide some documentation of Congress "exempting" itself from the provisions of the law. I'm always happy to be corrected and educated when I'm mistaken about something.