i Insurance industry is intimidating lawmakers
Morning Sentinel
Insurance industry is intimidating lawmakers
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 02/19/2009

Under pressure from the insurance industry, Obama's health-care reform is poised to completely exclude a single-payer "improved Medicare for all" option. Such a program would save enough money to provide comprehensive benefits for all Americans.

Yet opposition from insurance and drug industry giants continues to intimidate lawmakers. Only the voice of the people, our voices, can fortify our leaders to stand up for the health of the American people rather than the wealth of our richest firms.

Every other developed nation sees health care as a "right" and has some form of national health insurance (NHI). Plus, most spend less than half what we do per person.

Nearly a third of U.S. health-care spending is wasted on administration. In their drive to enroll healthy, profitable patients and screen out the sick, private insurers consume vast sums of money that sustain profits, enrich CEOs and divert resources from patient care. The paperwork they inflict on doctors and hospitals costs billions more each year. This "profit first" mentality has broken our health-care system and led the world into financial crisis.

Only single-payer NHI can fix this broken system and save thousands of lives each year. The concept is popular with the American people and enjoys the support of most doctors.

Right now, "improved Medicare for all" bills are taking shape in the U.S. House and Senate and in the Maine Legislature. Our leaders need to hear from you. Contact them. Voice your support.

Dr. John Benziger

South China

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