Single-payer healthcare advocates
planned actions
across the country
in preparation for "April 25, HR 676 Day of
Action."
Here in Portland, Oregon, an event
was held at the First Unitarian Church, on Thursday, April 16, 2009.
The event ran from 6 - 8 PM. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR3) started off the discussion by speaking about what's happening in
Congress; Dr. Mike Huntington, with Physicians for a National Health Program
discussed single-payer options; and Oregon State Senator Alan Bates
described what's happening at the state level. This was followed
by a full Q&A period with audience participation.
The event was well attended. The sanctuary was full and there was
overflow in the alcoves on the sides and in the balcony above. It was a
hopeful crowd of activists. Many seemed revitalized by the
tentative steps towards health care reform which the Obama
administration has endorsed. But most agreed that it will be
necessary to convince voters
and persuade congress of the efficacy and desirability of a single payer
system.
Blumenauer is a member of the House committee on budget, and voted in
favor of passage of the current budget which he characterized as an
honest budget and a step in the right direction for health care.
The budget includes a deficit-neutral reserve fund and reconciliation
instructions which will help the legislature prepare for an overhaul of
the health care system. Blumenauer indicated that reform is needed
to reduce the growth of health care costs, reduce long-term deficits,
and make our businesses’ more competitive in the global
marketplace. And he expressed concern for the added costs for
American working families. While he was upbeat on the budget, the
Representative feels we need longer term solutions which provide
comprehensive health care coverage and access for all. He did not,
however, commit to a single payer system and seemed content to
work for incremental reform. In fact, Earl seemed at odds with the
majority of the people in the room. He declared that a single
payer system was "not viable" and became defensive and perhaps
a bit arrogant when his views were challenged during the forum.
Disappointing.
Dr. Mike Huntington discussed the single payer system and how it could
work. "In a single-payer system, all hospitals, doctors, and
other health care providers would bill one entity for their services.
This alone reduces administrative waste greatly, and saves money, which
can be used to provide care and insurance to those who currently don’t
have it." (From the PNHP webpages)
Health
Care Forum with Congressman Earl Blumenauer Thursday, April 16th, 6pm, First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th
– Presented by JWJ activists.
Portland JwJ's Health Care Committee has been working hard
for HR 676, otherwise known as "single payer" national health
care reform ("everybody in, nobody out"). We were pleased to
have
Single Payer Health Care on the agenda at this forum sponsored by a
broad coalition of groups. We provided creative tabling at the
event.
Speakers included: Congressman Earl Blumenauer, State Senator
Alan Bates (discussing Oregon state legislation) and Dr. Mike Huntington
(from PNHP, a single payer group).
For more information call 971-634-0005.
Progressive
Democrats of Oregon is the state
affiliate of Progressive Democrats of America,
a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside
in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Elect a permanent,
progressive majority in 2008. PDA's advisory board includes seven
members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea
Benjamin, Thom Hartmann and Rev. Lennox Yearwood.
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