The following bills have been introduced by congress:*
The Medicare for All Act (S. 2229 and H.R. 4683) would guarantee coverage of every citizen, phased in over a 10 year period. At this time it is estimated that the financing would require a 7% payroll tax on businesses and a 1.7% tax on workers. By comparison, businesses today spend an estimated 13% of payroll on their health plans. Unions could continue to bargain for supplemental benefits.
The United States National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 676) would create a publicly-financed, privately-delivered health care program based on Medicare. All U.S. residents would be covered. Funding would come from maintaining the current Medicare payroll taxes and Medicaid funding, plus an additional 3.3% payroll tax on employers and a 5% tax on the top five percent of income earners. Other funding would come from eliminating the Bush tax cut, closing corporate tax loopholes, and new taxes on stock and bond transfers.
The American Health Security Act (H.R. 1200) would create a new health care system which would replace all currently existing public programs. Private health insurance plans would be permitted only to supplement the new public plan which would cover virtually all U.S. residents. The program would be administered by the states.
*Information provided by the Communication Workers of America Information on a Week of Action – June 7th organized by Healthcare-NOW in support of H.R. 676 (above) of can be obtained on their website www.healthcare-now.org
Given President Bush’s recent focus on healthcare reform, the PCDO Healthcare Committee’s mission will be to:
For more information about this group, email the Chair.
THE PRINCETON DEMOCRATIC HEALTHCARE POLICY COMMITTEE
Attending: T. Abe, N. Hall, L. Kane
The meeting began with those present explaining why they had joined the group. Those present agreed that their own goals dovetailed with the suggested mission of the committee including to:
1) raise committee members', democrats' and citizens' awareness of healthcare policy issues/challenges
2) identify, track and/or outline healthcare initiatives (including legislation) which could lead to reform both statewide and nationally
3) develop and carry out an action plan/campaign to lobby state and national lawmakers to make healthcare reform a reality
It was agreed that achieving these goals should be the primary mission of the committee.
The group then discussed possible names for the newly formed group. All agreed that an appropriate, tentative name for the committee should be “The Princeton Democratic Healthcare Policy Committee”.
Discussion then centered on an E-mail from Pam Hersh (a member who was not able to be present), suggesting that the committee invite Paul Krugman to speak regarding his support for an alternative healthcare system. This led to discussion about the possibility of holding a conference on healthcare reform. A variety of other speakers for such a conference were suggested including Paul Starr and Howard Dean. It was agreed that a conference would only be appropriate in 6 months or more time i.e. once the group had formulated a campaign and wanted to use a conference to jumpstart such a campaign.
Regarding the goal of raising awareness, the committee discussed the audience the committee might want to reach. The suggestion was made that efforts target activists and non-activists.
Regarding tracking healthcare initiatives, members mentioned connecting with Governor Corzine’s healthcare policy group, State Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg and the Roosevelt Commission. Also discussed was the benefit of collecting key articles and reports including a healthcare policy report that was issued last year by Rutgers, Camden and information on initiative in other states to create single payer systems (i.e. in Utah and New Mexico). The idea of providing the Governor with information about other state initiatives was discussed. The group also suggested posting any key information on the PCDO website to help raise awareness.
The meeting ended with those present agreeing to take responsibility for gathering information: N. Hall to gather research on state’s healthcare policy initiatives and the Roosevelt Institute; T. Abe to research “K Street” initiatives; L. Kane to obtain key articles and the Rutgers, Camden report. The Chair to circulate minutes to all members and to PCDO to be placed on a webpage.
The next meeting of the committee will be on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 at the home of Toshi Abe and Nancy Hall at 465 Walnut Lane.
THE PRINCETON HEALTH CARE POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES April 26, 2006
Attending: T. Abe, N. Hall, L.Kane
The meeting began by the group deciding to re-name the committee “The Princeton Health Care Policy Committee”. Likewise the group decided that the committee would be open to anyone to join i.e. not just PDCO members. All present agreed to reach out to others to join the committee including contacting Jenny Crumiller to ask her to further mention this committee in the PDCO newsletter, etc.
Discussion then ensued about a week of action being planned for the week of June 7th by a group called “Healthcare Now”. The agenda of that week is to push forward a bill currently being proposed in Congress, Bill HR676, which calls for a single payer system which would provide all American’s with free healthcare. Conversation followed about whether or not the group wanted to be involved in that week of action. Issues that arose were the fact that 1) Rush Holt had not signed on to support the bill, 2) two other bills were currently being proposed, 3) the committee had little information on Healthcare Now, 4) limited time existed between now and the next Healthcare Committee meeting to mobilize extensive action to support the week. Members decided that they wanted to find out more about the three bills and Rush Holt’s position on them before actively supporting any one bill.
Nevertheless it was agreed that the Chair would provide Jenny Crumiller with a brief description of the 3 bills (see below) and info. on the June 7th action to publicize/ be circulated to PDCO members in order to raise their awareness and give them the option of participating in any action.
In the meantime, L. Kane to find out more about HR676, T. Abe to find out more about the “American Health Security Act”, N. Hall to find out about the “Medicare for All Act”, the Chair to call Rush Holt’s office to find out more about his position on all of these bills. Those present were asked to make 2 copies of all information retrieved, with the Chair to hold master copies of all info. for future reference.
Discussion then turned to the recent healthcare bill passed in Massachusetts. Those present agreed that the provisions of the Mass. law appeared complex but that it was important because it meant that something was going on in that state. The hope was that laws passed in individual states would send a signal that national healthcare reform legislation needed to be enacted.
The next meeting of the committee will be on Wednesday, May 24 th at 7:30 at the home of the Chair at 429 Walnut Lane.