In this newsletter:
A big news week for health care:
PPACA and the SCOTUS
Health care hit the headlines in March, as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for and against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The major question is whether the mandate that everyone must buy private insurance, with taxpayer-funded vouchers to help pay for those who can’t afford the ever-rising premiums (see below), is constitutional. A ruling is not expected until June. If the mandate is struck down, the next question is whether the PPACA, along with its positive effects, would remain viable. As a result of this uncertainty, speculation is rampant in the news media as to whether a Single Payer Universal Health Care program would become the logical solution for our dysfunctional health care system. Even one of the conservative lawyers arguing that the law is unconstitutional had to admit, in questioning by Justice Sotomayor, that “Congress can tax everybody and set up a public health care system.” That would be constitutional. And fair. And cheaper. And the right thing to do. But unlikely at the federal level. Action at the state level is a good deal more likely.
A New York Times/CBS News poll found a majority of Americans think the court should overturn the entire law, not just the individual mandate. Curiously, though, large majorities approve of several parts of the law, such as forcing insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions (85 percent); allowing children to stay on their parents’ policies longer (68 percent); and reducing the “donut hole” for seniors (77 percent).
Meanwhile: employees will pay an average $2,764 of health care costs in 2012, a 9.3 percent jump from 2011, according to the Towers Watson/National Business Group on Health survey. That's up 40 percent from just five years ago. The average total health care cost per employee, including the worker and company share of the health insurance premium, is expected to reach $11,664 this year, up 5.9 percent from 2011, according to Towers Watson.
Here are a few of the many sites offering interesting perspectives on these issues:
Robert Reich, Baltimore Sun
John Nichols, The Nation
Adam Serwer, Mother Jones
Uwe Reinhardt blog, New York Times (from a progressive economist)
Scott Keyes, Think Progress (GOP Attorney General supports Single Payer)
INNER CITY BLUES FESTIVAL REUNION!
Saturday, April 14, 6:30 p.m., Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder in Portland
"Healing The Health Care Blues," with Norman Sylvester and a host of Northwest Blues Stars. Benefit for the Oregon Single Payer Campaign/Health Care for All-Oregon
Tickets $15, available online or at Music Millennium, Reflections, Geneva's, Pattie's Home Plate. Click here for more information or call Bob Gross 503-235-9800.
HEALTH CARE REFORM AND OREGON
Friday, April 27, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1126 SW Park, Portland. 9-11:30 a.m., Panelists will participate in a discussion on Health Reform and Oregon. You are cordially invited to hear, meet and speak with nationally renowned health policy experts:
Arnold Relman M.D., and Marcia Angell, M.D., past editors of the New England Journal of Medicine and strong advocates for single payer health care;
Cathy Schoen MS, senior vice president for policy, research and evaluation at The Commonwealth Fund;
Dr. Bruce Goldberg, director of the Oregon Health Authority;
Dr. Stephen Jones MACP, Swigert Chair of Medicine and clinical vice president at Legacy Emanuel and Samaritan Hospitals; and
Dr. Walter McDonald FACE and MACP, Associate Dean for Education at Oregon Health and Sciences University.
6:00 7:30 p.m., at the same location. Panelist/Audience Give and Take on Health Reform
Drs. Relman and Angell and Ms. Schoen will participate with members of the audience in a discussion of the morning's topics, moderated by Dr. Jones and Dr. McDonald.
Brought to you by Mad as Hell Doctors and Physicians for a National Health Program. Please reserve a place for either or both events. A $10 registration fee is required for each event. Register for the morning panel, register for the evening panel, and be sure to check out the panelists' recommended reading. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged.
RALLY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OREGON
On Saturday, April 28, noon to 2 p.m., hear guest speakers Dr. Marcia Angell and Dr. Arnold Relman at the Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd Street, in Corvallis.
Topics: Health Care Reform in the US, Is it Happening? Free admission.
Sponsored by Hundere Endowment in Religion and Culture: Oregon State University Program in Medical Humanities, Physicians for a National Health Program-Oregon, Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates, Mad as Hell Doctors and Health Care for All Oregon.
That evening, on Saturday, April 28, Drs. Angell and Relman will be featured guests at a dinner party at a private home in Portland. If you would like to learn more, please contact Terry Ann Rogers at (503) 756-4273.
Putting people before profits: The Healthcare Movie
A new health care documentary will premiere at Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st in Portland, on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. In The Healthcare Movie, a full feature documentary , narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, historians, activists, politicians and physicians all weigh in on comparisons of the U.S. and Canadian health care systems.
A Question and Answer session following the 65-minute screening will include the film producers, Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg; Dr. Paul Hochfeld ,a member of Physicians for a National Health Program; and Richard Bruno, a medical student at OHSU, as well as other guest speakers TBA. View the trailer online and find additional event information on the Facebook event page.
Support Oregon Single Payer Campaign/Health Care for All
The Oregon Single Payer Campaign has been spearheaded so far by hard-working volunteers, dedicated to the vision of bringing quality, affordable, publicly-funded health care to all Oregon residents. Now that we are organizing formally to make this vision a reality, our new coalition will need a full-time organizer to coordinate local and statewide campaigns. Please consider becoming a Sustainer today, We also happily accept one-time donations.
Find us on Facebook!
Visit out newly reinvigorated Facebook page. Volunteer Cecelia Nunn-Haack has been doing a valiant job with it and needs more friends to share with.
|
