Madam Speaker,
The healthcare system of the country has become uncompetitive in the world market. As you must know, we spend about 1.5% of GDP on healthcare services, but still have tens of millions without health insurance, leaving them to fend for themselves. Hundreds of thousands of families have gone into bankruptcy due to health problems. In most advanced countries, healthcare costs less than 1% of GDP and everyone is effectively covered. Healthcare costs are often shifted to companies, leaving their products at a competitive disadvantage on the world market.
The only real solution to this is a one-payer system, similar to the British system. This kind of system has been proposed by Rep. Dennis Kucinich and others in Congress, yet it never seems to get to a vote. Will you use the power of your office as Speaker to make sure that this is thoroughly discussed in Congress and at least one single-payer proposal makes it to a vote?
Comments (6)
BTW, that should be "Healthcare costs" in this country "are often shifted to companies, leaving their products at a competitive disadvantage on the world market."
A. Your figure is off by an order of magnitude. US spends about 16% (not 1.5%) GDP on healthcare (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States)
B. Having lived in multiple countries/health care systems, I would suggest not emulating the British. The French system produces far better results, with general satisfaction, for significantly less per capita than US medical care ... while covering 100% of the population. In addition, the French system would be more easily adaptable to US society as it has many more private practice elements, creating true freedom of choice for patients.
Wrong comment for her. She does process, not policy... and healthcare is definitely process. Don't waste your time thinking that you'll bet anytihng from her on this. Ha!
Thanks for the comments. Yes, it's worse than I thought.
As for the exact model to follow, I'd love to have something like the French system. When was the last time a GP came out to your house to see you when you felt sick?
As for process vs. substance, well, no. She's a member of the House. It's totally within her portfolio to move a bill that would provide exactly this kind of healthcare system in this country. I want to know whether she will take responsibility to do that. She also has power over how bills make it through the system and a lot of personal power to twist arms to get what she wants. If she wants this kind of bill to come to the floor, it will. She's the right person to hold responsible for this.
Those wanting to have a health care plan that is similar to the British need to do thier homework. Both Britan and Canada have Socilized medicine. You do not chose your Doctor and there are long waiting list to have procedures done.
Anyone who objects to the British or Canadian system needs to see Michael Moore's movie., Sicko, which debunks the common myths about waiting lines. I'd love to have something like the French system, but I'd be tickled pink to get one even as good as the British. We need socialized medicine like Medicare that covers everyone and cuts out the profit motive. The last thing I'd want when I'm battling an incurable disease is someone making money off my suffering.