WASHINGTON - July 17 -

KAY McVAY, MICHAEL LIGHTY
CHARLES IDELSON
McVay, a registered nurse, is president emeritus of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee. Lighty and Idelson are spokespersons for the group.

McVay said: "With debate underway in the House Education and Labor Committee [on healthcare], an amendment by Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio would remove potential legal impediments for states to pass single payer bills by waiving federal exemptions that apply to employer-sponsored health plans.

"With Congress apparently poised to adopt legislation that many of us believe will not solve the crisis, and leave far too much power in the hands of the insurance industry, this amendment would allow states to show a different path that can become a national model. Recent studies have documented that compared to people with private insurance, Medicare enrollees have greater access to care, fewer problems with medical bills, and greater satisfaction with their health plans and the quality of care they receive. Shouldn't that be the standard for the reform in our nation? And if you are not going to adopt Medicare for all in the national bill, why not allow individual states the opportunity to enact it?"

Idelson added: "California passed single payer bills twice through the legislature that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed, so this is a very live issue in California."

For breaking news and background, see "House Committee Allows States to Create Single-Payer Healthcare".