Opinion, Articles, Blogs, Broadcast
Bust the Health Care Trusts
By Robert Reich
New York Times
February 23, 2010
...Rates are soaring all over the country. Insurers have been seeking to raise premiums 24 percent in Connecticut, 23 percent in Maine, 20 percent in Oregon and a wallet-popping 56 percent in Michigan. How can insurers raise prices as much as they want without fear of losing customers? Astonishingly, the health insurance industry is exempt from federal antitrust laws, which is why a handful of insurers have become so dominant in their markets that their customers simply have nowhere else to go. But that protection could soon end... Read full article
Note: On February 24th the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to eliminate the insurance industry's antitrust exemption.
Marty Looks to Future With Single-Payer Bill
StarTribune February 26, 2010
Lori Sturdevant
The possibility that Americans would join hands and buy health care all together has found no traction in Washington. But at the DFL-controlled Minnesota Legislature, the idea has been quietly marching through committees, three in the Senate, one in the House.
The Minnesota Health Plan is propelled in the Senate by former and current DFL gubernatorial candidate John Marty, a seven-term legislator from Roseville... Read More
Kristof: I Cost More, But I'm a Specialist
What is our news industry were like our health care system?
Nocholas Kristof
New York Times
February 20,2010
Top Five Health Insurers Posted 56% Gain in Profits in 2009
Published 2-12-10 AlterNet
by, John Byrne
MN Progressive Projects reports on MUHCC
by Dan Burns
2-14-2010
The Blog comments on MUHCCC efforts to pass sinlge-payer health caer in Minnesota and on other states' efforts.
Senator John Marty- Open Letter to President Obama
An open letter in response to President Obama's State of the Union
request for a better approach to health care reform
by, Senator John Marty
January 29, 2010
"If anyone...has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring
down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors,
and stop insurance company abuses, let me know."
-- State of the Union, January 27, 2010
Dear President Obama,
During your State of the Union address, you explained why you are
fighting for health care reform, expressed frustration at the lack of
success, and invited others to suggest a better approach.
I'm taking you up on that invitation and offer a bold suggestion:
Take a look at our Minnesota Health Plan -- a proposal that covers
everyone, saves money, and creates a logical health care system to
replace the dysfunctional non-system which currently exists. It is a
proposal that would provide health care to everyone, not merely health
insurance for many.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Letter to Speaker Pelosi
On January 7,2010 The Congressional Progressive Caucus sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reiterating progressive demands for the conference committee bill. In it they reaffirm commitment to a public option, state single-payer, abolishing the insurance industry anti-trust exemption and House affordability standards. Read the letter here. The letter contains a helpful comparison of the Senate and House bills.
Health Lobby Takes Fights to the States
Like about a dozen other states, Florida is debating a proposed amendment to its state constitution that would try to block, at least symbolically, much of the proposed federal health care overhaul on the grounds that it tramples individual liberty...
...Insurance companies, hospitals and other health care interests have been positioning themselves in statehouses around the country to influence the outcome of the proposed health care overhaul. Around the 2008 election, the groups that provide health care contributed about $102 million to state political campaigns across the country, surpassing the $89 million the same donors spent at the federal level, according to the institute... Read the full article
Comment: Governor Pawlenty has talked about using "states rights" to opt out of federal reforms, Rep. Tom Emmer, Republican gubernatorial candidate has put forth a proposal on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to buy private insurance. They aren't trying to protect consumers and constituents, they are trying to protect the insurance industry. After the federal reform bill is passed, the fight will come to the states. Help the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition be prepared to fight back. Please make a donation now!
Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul on Party-Line Vote
By Robert Pear
December 24, 2009
New York Times
The Senate voted Thursday to reinvent the nation's health care system... TheThe 60-to-39 party-line vote, starting at 7:05 a.m. on the 25th straight day of debate on the legislation, brings Democrats closer to a goal they have pursued for decades and brings President Obama a step closer to success in his signature domestic initiative. When the roll was called, with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. presiding, it was the first time the Senate had gathered for a vote on Christmas Eve since 1895.