It's past time for the US to join the rest of the civilized world in providing medical care to all of our citizens. With the political energy built up by the Obama victory 2009 may be the best chance at health care reform since the 1950s. The best solution is clearly a single-payer model that would strip away the inefficiencies and injustices created by the byzantine private insurance industry-- why should we spend billions each year to fund an industry that skims profits from health care without providing any health care services? --and increases efficiency by putting all consumers into a buying pool for services, medications, and all other expenses.
The best solution proposed so far is H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, which would cover all medically-necessary procedures, medication, and devices for all Americans. People can still choose their doctors and there would be no copays or deductibles. It will be paid for, in part, by a 3% increase in the payroll tax-- much less per person than most of us currently pay for private insurance and the benefits will be greater.
Please contact your elected officials and urge them to support H.R. 676 in the next Congress.
-Dr. DRL
11 December 2008
10 December 2008
Obama's decision for Interior-- disappointment?
Much concern has been raised within the environmental community over the rumor that Mike Thompson (D-CA) may be Obama's pick for Interior (see Grist's piece).
This is deeply disturbing to those of us who gave time and money to Obama on the assumption that he recognized the critical importance of conservation on our public lands. Thompson is a Blue Dog who supported many of Bush's inane environmental policies (including the "Healthy Forests Initiative") who simply does not have the credentials to fix the mess at Interior.
What America needs today is a Stuart Udall or a Cecil Andrus at Interior-- a westerner that understands conservation and believes in a sustainable, multiple-use mission for the public lands. Mike Thompson is not that person and Obama needs to hear that from everyone who support his campaign as a means to improving our environmental record on public lands.
You can join me in emailing the Obama transition team to share your thoughts on this critical position.
-Dr.DRL
This is deeply disturbing to those of us who gave time and money to Obama on the assumption that he recognized the critical importance of conservation on our public lands. Thompson is a Blue Dog who supported many of Bush's inane environmental policies (including the "Healthy Forests Initiative") who simply does not have the credentials to fix the mess at Interior.
What America needs today is a Stuart Udall or a Cecil Andrus at Interior-- a westerner that understands conservation and believes in a sustainable, multiple-use mission for the public lands. Mike Thompson is not that person and Obama needs to hear that from everyone who support his campaign as a means to improving our environmental record on public lands.
You can join me in emailing the Obama transition team to share your thoughts on this critical position.
-Dr.DRL
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