January, 18 2011, 02:13pm EDT
Kucinich Kicks off Health Care Debate with Renewed Call for Single-Payer
WASHINGTON
Speaking
today on the House floor, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) opposed
efforts to repeal health care reform and also renewed his call for a
single-payer health care system.
See video here. The full text follows:
"Everyone
knows that health insurance companies make money by NOT providing
health care. After all they are in the insurance business. They are
not charities.
knows that health insurance companies make money by NOT providing
health care. After all they are in the insurance business. They are
not charities.
"With
as many as 129 million Americans suffering from pre-existing
conditions, insurance companies want Congress to repeal health care
reform. The provisions which require covering people with pre-existing
conditions would eventually cut into insurance company profits.
as many as 129 million Americans suffering from pre-existing
conditions, insurance companies want Congress to repeal health care
reform. The provisions which require covering people with pre-existing
conditions would eventually cut into insurance company profits.
"Repeal
means Americans will continue to pay more for insurance but get less,
that is, if they can afford health care insurance in the first place.
means Americans will continue to pay more for insurance but get less,
that is, if they can afford health care insurance in the first place.
"The
very idea of health care reform solely within the context of a
for-profit system has been more than problematic. Today, 50 million
Americans have no health insurance. What are we going to do for them?
very idea of health care reform solely within the context of a
for-profit system has been more than problematic. Today, 50 million
Americans have no health insurance. What are we going to do for them?
"Rather
than waste time on debating how much reform insurance companies will
permit - - if any - - it is time to change the debate. It is time to
end the for-profit health care model. It is time for not-for-profit
health care, single-payer, universal, Medicare for All - - with an
emphasis on wellness and personal responsibility. More about that
tomorrow."
than waste time on debating how much reform insurance companies will
permit - - if any - - it is time to change the debate. It is time to
end the for-profit health care model. It is time for not-for-profit
health care, single-payer, universal, Medicare for All - - with an
emphasis on wellness and personal responsibility. More about that
tomorrow."
Kucinich
was a co-author of Medicare For All, H.R. 676, in the 111th Congress.
The bill is expected to be reintroduced in the 112th Congress as well.
was a co-author of Medicare For All, H.R. 676, in the 111th Congress.
The bill is expected to be reintroduced in the 112th Congress as well.
Dennis Kucinich is an American politician. A U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013, he was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008.
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