Universal health care campaign ramps up in R.I.
The advocates pose this question: Is health care a fundamental human right, or a privilege for those who can afford it?
The answer from state Rep.
Wednesday's press conference centered on this year's reworked,
"Sanders's audience alternated between rapt attention and grateful applause as experts explained how higher tax rates could replace America's health-care system with universal Medicare," the news story said.
The big question: how to finance a new publicly run health-care system in
Regunberg's answer: "The program would be funded with a 10-percent payroll tax." (Sen.
"It's really important to remember ... that this would replace the full cost for individuals and businesses of health insurance, premiums, co-pays -- everything we currently pay for health care." Regunberg said. "Our economic analysis finds that this results in a net savings of
The backers ask and answer "frequently asked question(s)" on their website: rihealthcare.org/faq. Among them: What is "Single Payer?"
The answer: "It is a system in which a single public agency handles health financing (instead of multiple health insurance companies) and delivery of care remains largely private. ... All Americans would be covered for all medically necessary services, including doctor visits, hospital stays ... long-term care, mental health care, reproductive health care, dental and vision care, prescription drug and medical supply costs."
Next question: "How would we pay for the program?"
The answer: "The program will be paid for by consolidating government and private payments to multiple insurance carriers into a more economical and efficient improved Medicare-for-all style single payer program and substituting lower progressive taxes for higher health insurance premiums, co-pays, deductibles and costs due to caps."
Regunberg suggested one payment approach: a payroll tax. This is another, according to the online description posted by the group leading the fight: those at "higher brackets of income" would pay "specified taxes ... at a higher marginal rate than lower brackets," Small businesses and low wage earners would get tax credits or exemptions to offset the cost.
Leading the push in
Regunberg's argument: "The reality is that Rhode Islanders already pay enough money to have comprehensive and universal health insurance. Yet despite our spending, we still have tens of thousands who are uninsured. We still have folks putting off medical care because of huge deductibles; families experiencing financial disaster because they get a serious illness, small businesses struggling with health-care obligations.
"This won't be an easy fight. There are lots of powerful interests that want to maintain the status quo. But we should not let that stop us," said Regunberg, who is running for lieutenant governor against the Democratic incumbent,
Last year's House hearing was dominated by proponents including representatives of the
The arguments for the legislation were intertwined with the push by many of the same groups for a guaranteed right to an abortion, regardless of what a reconstituted
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On Twitter: @kathyprojo
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