Rep. Lee sponsors single-payer health plan bill

I'm still too busy to blog, but I wanted to mention this great post on Feminist Peace Network about Rep. Lee’s Universal Health Service Act and why women need a single-payer plan.

Here is the link FPN provided to Rep. Lee's own description of House Bill 3000.

The FPN post (it's a beautiful thing, please go and read all of it) also includes a link to an endorsement of single-payer by Our Bodies Ourselves. Here's part of the Our Bodies Ourselves post that I found particularly interesting. They are quoting Judy Norsigian, OBOS executive director:

Advocating for single payer is an uphill battle, but not a losing cause, said Norsigian, citing the current organizing efforts around single payer that are drawing congressional and media attention.

"Our efforts could also assist those now seeking to strengthen so-called public health insurance options designed to compete with private insurance companies," said Norsigian. "Though such government-sponsored health care plans are likely doomed to fail, they may ultimately be the only compromise solutions that could succeed in Congress."

The American Medical Association, which President Obama addressed on Monday, objects to a shift away from private insurance coverage, but Norsigian said that's to be expected.

"The AMA now represents fewer than 25 percent of all doctors, about 250,000. Although some doctors, mostly specialists, will have greater income under a private insurance system, most doctors view a single-payer solution as the best approach to health care reform. In fact, the second largest physician group, the American College of Physicians, which represents about 126,000 doctors, is on record in support of single payer," said Norsigian.