PNHP testimony before two House committees today
Testimony of Quentin D. Young, M.D.
U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means
June 24, 2009
I wish to make two points to the Members of this Committee. The first is that the best health policy science, literature, and experience indicate that the Tri-Committee proposal will fail miserably in its purported goal of providing comprehensive, sustainable health coverage to all Americans. And it will fail whether or not it includes a so-called “public option” health plan.
The second point I wish to make is that single-payer national health insurance is not just the only path to universal coverage, it is the most politically feasible path to health care for all, because it pays for itself, requiring no new sources of revenue.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=684
Testimony posted on PNHP website:
http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/june/testimony_of_quentin.php
And…
Testimony of Steffie Woolhandler, M.D.
Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
June 24, 2009
Private insurance is a defective product. Unfortunately, the Tri-Committee health reform plan would keep private insurers in the driver’s seat, and, indeed, require Americans to buy their shoddy goods.
Eight decades of experience teach that private insurers cannot control costs or provide families with the coverage they need. A government-run clone of private insurers cannot fix these flaws. Only single payer national health insurance can assure all Americans the care they need at a price they can afford.
Testimony posted on PNHP website:
http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/june/testimony_of_steffie.php
Comment:
By Don McCanne, MD
Single payer is now a part of the dialogue in Congress. Now if only we can convert the single payer dialogue into single payer policy.