This is THE Healthcare Plan YOU Have Asked For

Done (4.00 / 2)

Here's what I wrote to Joe Courtney:

Joe:

I'm writing tonight to urge you to strongly consider supporting The United States National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 676) introduced by Reps. John Conyers, Dennis Kucinich, Jim McDermott, and Donna Christensen.

I understand that finding some way out of the debacle that is the Iraq war looms large in Congress' attention, but even in the midst of this crisis, domestic policies remain important to our nation's future. Among those, ensuring adequate health care for all Americans is one of the very most important.

I honestly don't know whether H.R. 676 represents the best possible solution: The devil, they say, is in the details, and I trust you and your staff to learn those details in a way I never could. But the principle H.R. 676 embodies -- that of a comprehensive, universal, nonprofit, Government-funded health care system -- is one I very strongly support. We need this bill, or something better; it's one of the things I had in mind when I voted (and worked) to send you to Congress.

Thank you for your consideration. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

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by: dauphinb @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 08:07:08 AM UTC

Thank you! (4.00 / 1)

Perhaps others could save time and just copy and paste that letter into an Email to their reps since it is well written and to the point.


Drinking Liberally in New Milford
ePluribus Media

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by: Connecticut Man1 @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 08:22:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

single payer - federal and state (4.00 / 1)

That bill was introduced in November, in the previous Congress, so there is no such bill in the current 110th Congress.  I'd expect they'd have to re-introduce it this year with a different number.  On the other hand, Kucinich called for its passage this month - so maybe they can request the number again?  It may be better to talk about the Conyers/Kucinich single payer bill.

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) are asking organizations to pass resolutions in favor of the bill.  There's also the national Healthcare NOW organization.

Chris Murphy, who co-sponsored a single payer bill in CT, should be particularly encouraged to co-sponsor.  Courtney is dismissive of single payer (I've asked), but should be pushed.

At the state level, Senator Don Williams is calling for a "Medicare for All" system.  It's not quite clear to me what he means, but I suspect that even in the insurance state, the Senate leadership recognizes that single payer is the only viable solution.  It's not going to happen this year, but it's worth contacting your state legislators in support of single payer.

Also, it was easy to miss, but the CT AFL-CIO has endorsed single payer.  (Courant coverage and video of the news conference - look about 1 minute into it.

Opportunities for action at the state level:

• Wed, Jan 31, 10 am, Public Health Cmte: Public Hearing on Access to Affordable Health Care
  
• April 18: Labor for Universal Healthcare Lobby Day.
  
• May 5:Universal Healthcare Rally at the State Capitol in Hartford.

A 22-minute video from California on single payer:

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by: mikect @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 13:41:54 PM UTC

MLN calendar (4.00 / 1)

you may want to put the important dates listed above on the MLN calendar so they will get more noticed.

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."--James Madison

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by: sufi @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 17:28:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Again (0.00 / 0)

From SarahLee's diary:

The following comes from an email from Health Care Now.

This is your chance to help make history!  What you do right now will make a huge difference? How can we really get to a quality national healthcare system now, this time around?  

H.R. 676, introduced by Representative John Conyers covers our medical needs without continuing to support insurance companies. H.R. 676, Improved and enhanced Medicare for All, will save about one third of every dollar we have been spending while providing real health care, not simply health insurance.

Taken from Healthcare-Now site:

Campaign Tools
 

Summary of The Legislation H.R.676

 

  Sign Our Petition

 

  Join
  Healthcare-NOW!

 

  Organize an Event

 

  Write Congress

 

  Write To The Media

 

  Draft a Resolution

Drinking Liberally in New Milford
ePluribus Media

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by: Connecticut Man1 @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 20:14:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Per search engine, reintroduced 1/25/07 as HR676 (4.00 / 1)

http://www.indybay.o...

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by: greenpeas @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 04:00:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oops, yes, was re-introduced (4.00 / 1)

Yes, it was re-introduced last week.  (I probably forgot to enter the "HR" before the number, so it didn't turn up in my search.)

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by: mikect @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 04:10:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

makes sense. I did that at first, too, and it didn't come up. (4.00 / 1)

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by: greenpeas @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 05:25:45 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Text is now posted (4.00 / 1)

and it's surprisingly easy to read.  Look at this:

Requirement To Be Public or Non-Profit-

(1) IN GENERAL- No institution may be a participating provider unless it is a public or not-for-profit institution.

(2) CONVERSION OF INVESTOR-OWNED PROVIDERS- Investor-owned providers of care opting to participate shall be required to convert to not-for-profit status.

(3) COMPENSATION FOR CONVERSION- The owners of such investor-owned providers shall be compensated for the actual appraised value of converted facilities used in the delivery of care.

(4) FUNDING- There are authorized to be appropriated from the Treasury such sums as are necessary to compensate investor-owned providers as provided for under paragraph (3).

(5) REQUIREMENTS- The conversion to a not-for-profit health care system shall take place over a 15-year period, through the sale of U.S. Treasury Bonds. Payment for conversions under paragraph (3) shall not be made for loss of business profits, but may be made only for costs associated with the conversion of real property and equipment.

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by: greenpeas @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 04:02:58 AM UTC