Kucinich Kicks off Health Care Debate with Renewed Call for Single-Payer

WASHINGTON - January 18 - 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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?

“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.”

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.

Source: Common Dreams