Help Ensure health care for all in the United States

Letter to the Editor
Portsmouth Herald
4-01-09

Health care reform is now being discussed across the country, and consensus on a new direction is likely this year. Sorry to say, the single-payer concept, supported by over half of respondents in national surveys, has not even been considered in several of the forums that have taken place so far.

Senator Baucus, the majority leader in this reform, is adamantly opposed to even discussing it — it isn’t clear whether the $500,000 received in campaign contributions from insurance companies has influenced his opinion.

In New Hampshire, your House of Representatives has endorsed HR 676, the national health care act; your Senate will vote on this in April. It is important for everyone to contact their state senators and urge them to vote in favor of this legislation. Because New Hampshire plays 20 such an important role in national politics, support says that this model deserves careful national deliberation, not the wanton suppression now taking place.

HR 676 can withstand intense scrutiny. For about 4.5 percent of your income, you get economic security, knowing that illness will never bankrupt you or your family, choice of doctor and hospital, coverage for all office visits and hospitalization, emergency care, prescription drugs, medical equipment, long-term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care and chiropractic services. You would never see a bill from an insurance company or from your doctor. Your coverage would be completely portable because the direct link between employment and insurance would be gone forever. There would be no pre-existing conditions, since you would be covered for life. And there would be no co-payments and no deductibles. To read more, check out Physicians for a National Health Program at www.pnhp.org.

As you can see, a program like this should not be dismissed by code words like “socialized medicine” and “politically unfeasible.” Opponents should be able to make a persuasive, coherent argument as to why this plan won’t work. They can’t because universal health plans are functioning in countries around the world right now.

I know i t is sometimes difficult to call your representatives. This issue affects everyone and will certainly affect the lives of your children and grandchildren. I am requesting you to call Sens. Hassan (271-2106), Fuller Clark (271-4152), or Merrill (271-7803) and ask for their support. Nationally, it would be helpful if U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter followed through on her commitment to Medicare for All (202) 225-5456 and for U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (202) 224-2841 to know that debate not dismissal is what you want in national politics.

Dr. Thomas Clairmont
Portsmouth