Myths as Barriers

Dr. John P. Geyman, Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine at the University of Washington, served as PNHP's President in 2005 and 2006. Dr. Geyman has written three books and contributed numerous academic papers on the failures of the U.S. health system and the need for single-payer national health insurance. In this article from the International Journal of Health Services, Dr. Geyman identifies and refutes six myths employed by the opponents of single-payer:

1. The uninsured and underinsured get the care they need.
2. The U.S. does not ration health care.
3. The free market is the best way to resolve our health system problems.
4. Incremental changes can solve our health system problems.
5. The U.S. has the best health system in the world.
6. National health insurance should not be given attention because it is politically unfeasible.

The references are also useful as a bibliography for those seeking evidence refuting these myths.

"Myths as Barriers to Health Care Reform in the United States" (pdf)