In the debate over health care in this country, one salient fact is that a single payer plan can never get a serious hearing.
There are various ways of conceptualizing single-payer plans but their common feature is that all medical payments would come from a single source—usually the government.
The advantages of a single payer plan are that it reduces administrative costs and provides universal coverage. Some of the most effective and efficient health care systems in the world are single payer systems.
Yet, in the United States, with our broken, ineffective health care delivery system, policy makers seldom discuss single payer as a real possibility. (Medicare is a single payer plan but covers only seniors.)
The reason is not so hard to discern. Under a single-payer plan, insurance companies would be out of business. So insurance companies don’t want it on the table—and they have the money, resources, and influence to make sure it is never seriously considered.
This is the problem with our political system in a nutshell. In the U.S., when we need to solve a problem, the obstacles to a solution are usually able to buy a seat at the table. And the so-called liberals, being nice people and all, wanting to give everyone a chance to be heard, acquiesce.
Common-dreams has a list of people and organizations who are obstacles to considering a single-payer plan with an explanation of why each is opposed.
And President Obama is on that list.
Physicians for a National Health Program is a great resource for people who want to get involved and change the system.
Tags: insurance company opposition, obstacles to single payer, Russell Mokhiber, single payer health insurance
