Medicaid for All Americans

Why a government run, single payer system is good for business, and good for you and me

By Hail Hamilton

This month the Eagle will add one more issue to our ongoing coverage of illegal immigration and the misuse of Memorial Park —Health Care, or the lack of it. For the complete the Special Report on Health Care by clickng on to the Health and Fitness Page.

It has been estimated that in 10 years the current private health insurance system will bankrupt the nation. But long before that happens thousands of Americans will die unnecessarily because they don’t any health insurance at all. In a word, these Americans will die because they cannot access modern medical care or afford the cost of new types of prescription drugs.

Why do low-paid American workers need to feed from the government trough of Medicaid to get adequate health care coverage for themselves and their families? Don't those damn commie pinkos on the left realize that this is a waste of money? Why the hell should my tax dollars subsidize some ex-welfare queen's health insurance?

Sounds pretty logical, right? As with most right wing economics, defending our current health care system only adds up if you remove all of the facts from the debate. The libertarian pipe dream (all government programs are wasteful, everything in the private sector is more efficient because of the invisible hand of the free market) is great if reductionism is your goal.

However, if you're trying to achieve actual results in the real world, you need to take facts into account. Like the fact that private insurance companies spend more per patient than Medicare. Like the fact that the much vaunted profit motive has driven up drug costs, as pharmaceutical companies have used their political and economic influence to stifle competition.

In light of the reality of the subject, right-wing attacks against expanding Medicaid are exposed as cruel and tragic. Ask Ford and General Motors.

MYTH: Medicaid costs are up and they need to be brought down to more reasonable levels

The government's free health care offering swelled Medicaid's numbers as many low-income workers are choosing Medicaid rather than insurance from their employer because it is free or nearly free and often provides more benefits, according to an eye-opening report in USA TODAY…

The growth of the health entitlement program – which critics say has become national health care by stealth – has been embraced by both Republicans and Democrats. President Bush has even proposed $1 billion in spending for the next two years "to encourage eligible families to sign up for Medicaid," USA Today noted.

Some experts blame the growth of Medicaid on 1996's landmark welfare reform legislation, which moved millions of welfare recipients off the welfare rolls and into low paying jobs. To make sure these newly employed didn't lose free health benefits, the federal government enacted legislation to extend Medicaid to lower-income workers….Now a great number of workers – many who were never on welfare - can also sign on for free health care. Under federal rules, a family of four can earn as much as $40,000 a year in most states and still get government health insurance for children.

REALITY

Are Medicaid’s costs soaring? Yes, absolutely. Medicaid costs are up 85% from 1997 to about $330 billion a year. This is a lot of money, no question. And is there waste in the Medicaid system? No doubt. But this is clearly money well spent when you consider that the spending increase has mainly been driven by a 50% increase in the number of benefit recipients. In fact, Medicaid coverage should be spread to even more Americans.

Wingnut commentators all sing in the same key about Medicaid and the government’s role in providing health care for its citizens. What does it say when they condemn their leader for being too generous with social programs? W wants to expand Medicaid spending by 0.33%? Blasphemy! Craziness! What is he thinking?!? Does it really make sense to chastise low-paid workers for seeking free Medicaid coverage instead of paying into their employer’s system?

If you made $40,000/year and had to support a family of four, would you choose the free service or the system that you had to pay $400/month just to buy into? Which option do you think a rational person would choose? Does anyone remember compassion?

But the question is: Why should we pay for other people's healthcare? It comes down to the costs and benefits of various healthcare systems. It is very easy for people who enjoy generous employer-based health benefits to be jaded and to suggest that the United States should not provide any health coverage to the 40 million Americans who are either un- and underinsured.

However, this ignores the unsustainable costs of those benefits, as well as the costs to society of maintaining a large un- and underinsured population. Firstly, American companies cannot continue to compete with competitors from countries where the government provides healthcare, and those costs to American companies are currently inflated due to inefficiencies in our private system.

For example, private health care companies spend more on actuarial costs, because they must factor in previous conditions and high risk applicants. That plus the dead-weight costs associated with regulatory and legislative lobbying combine to make private coverage less efficient than a single payer system. Blue Cross spends more per patient than Medicare. Put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, Jack Kemp!

An oft-cited example of the problems with health care coverage in this country is the quagmire that General Motors and Ford Motor Company have found themselves in, particularly as a result of their high health care costs. Looking at Ford, on a per-vehicle basis, Ford spends more money on health care (more than $1,000 per vehicle) than it does on steel. Think about that. From 2000 to 2003, Ford Motor Company’s health care costs rose from $2 billion a year to $3.2 billion. During this same period of time, the number of Ford employees decreased and the richness of the health care benefits provided to employees decreased.

Therefore, if health care benefits to employees did not cause the massive spike in health care costs, what did? Ford and GM have to compete with companies from countries with universal care. These companies are at a $1,000+ per car advantage, off the bat. Do you think Rush Limbaugh has a real answer to that? We don't.

Another reality that you won't hear about from the flat-earth crowd are the vast social and economic costs incurred to society by an underinsured work force. As an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, healthy workers are more productive and dependable. How could a creamy-eyed right-wing ideologue spend decades railing against welfare, and then support economic conditions that make working almost impossible for those former welfare recipients who are able to work?

According to a Current Population Report from 2002, 15% of the population of the United States lacked health insurance, which was up from 2001. Also, the percentage of the population covered by employer-based health insurance plans dropped in 2002. In addition, almost 12% of America’s children are uninsured. Again, these numbers do not take into account the portion of the population that is underinsured. These are people who may have catastrophic insurance plans, for extreme medical situations, but who are not able to see a doctor if they fall ill with the flu.

Phil Longman of the New America Foundation wrote a great article in January 2005 that describes the great strides made in the last few years by the VA system in the United States. The VA system has received a technological makeover and has transformed itself from a third-rate medical system to one of the most progressive in the nation. If the United States created and adopted a single-payer system along these same lines, perhaps it could avoid some of the pitfalls and problems that other countries with a single-payer system have encountered.

One major problem is that the federal government refuses to allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies. Where are the free-market prophets on this one? Any real solution to America's health care crisis will necessarily involve lowering drug costs through competition.

A single-payer system (i.e. the expansion of Medicaid to all uninsured and under-insured Americans) would provide universal coverage more efficiently than our current corrupt and dysfunctional system. This would generate a more productive workforce, and more competitive American business.

Under a single-payer system, all Americans would be covered for all medically necessary services, including: doctor, hospital, long-term care, mental health, dental, vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs. Patients would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.

Physicians would be paid fee-for-service according to a negotiated formulary or receive salary from a hospital. Hospitals would receive a global budget for operating expenses. Health facilities and expensive equipment purchases would be managed by regional health planning boards.

With everyone insured, business could expect healthier employees, higher productivity, less absenteeism, and lower employee turnover. United States business could once again be competitive.

Finally, a universal single-payer health insurance system does not require a tax increase. Despite what opponents say, a single-pay system would be financed by eliminating private insurers and recapturing their administrative waste. The billions of dollars saved would replace premiums and out-of-pocket payments currently paid by individuals and business. Costs would be controlled through negotiated fees, global budgeting and bulk purchasing. Most importantly, no money would exchange hands and everyone would have access to good health care.

So the next time that you see the Wall Street Journal decrying the evils of Medicaid or any other single payer solution to our healthcare crisis, or even worse, denying a crisis even exists, remember the facts. Our private system is more inefficient and costly than a government-run single payer system. A single-payer system would eliminate medical costs now paid by American business. More importantly, with everyone insured, business could expect healthier employees, higher productivity, less absenteeism, and lower employee turnover. In short, a single-payer plan would make American business more competitive, and make our workforce more productive.

Now, I know there are those who still don’t get it. If you are one of those stubborn right-wing naysayers in denial about the current health insurance crisis, visit a your doctor or go to your local hospital to have your head examined—that is, if your health insurance will cover prolonged and extensive mental health care.

Open Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger

Subject: Your leadership needed for 33 percent renewable energy!

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

In 2005, you called for an acceleration of the state's renewable electricity standard to 33 percent by the year 2020. You clearly realized that meaningful investments in more renewable energy are necessary.

California not only to help reach our very aggressive goal of reducing global warming emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, but also to improve the air we breathe by shifting away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner energy sources that emit fewer smog-forming pollutants.

As SB 411 (Simitian) makes its way through the state legislature, and the California Air Resources Board debates which policies will be included in the package of policies used to meet our 2020 climate goals, your reaffirmation of support for 33 percent renewable energy is of the utmost importance.

A 33 percent renewable electricity standard is just the kind of 'big idea' that you and your administration can turn into a reality.

I want to thank you for your consistent support for sound, yet bold, climate policies that allow California to lead the nation and the world in clean technology development and other global warming solutions.

I appreciate your vision and encourage you to continue leading the way on a 33 percent renewable electricity standard.

Sincerely,

Hail Hamilton

Editor & Publisher

Sierra Madre Eagle

TR on Immigration:

Wise Words from a Wise Man

In the words of President Teddy Roosevelt, "We have
room for but one flag, the American flag... We have
room for but one language here, and that is the
English language... and we have room for but one sole
loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

What a Country!

Open Letter to Senator Diane Feinstein

By Hail Hamilton

The Honorable Diane Feinstein

331 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3841

Email: feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

Dear Senator Feinstein,

As a native Californian and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien, and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien is to benefit myself and my family. This stems from a bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you and Senator Boxer voted.

If my understanding of this bill’s provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one, and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year, so I’m excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

I will save even more money as an illegal alien by not reporting or under valuing my annual income so as to qualify my children for food stamps and free school meals—breakfast and lunch!

I also understand that illegal status would relieve me the burden of renewing my driver’s license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that my children will soon be old enough to drive my car.

Lastly, it is my understanding that as an illegal alien my children will be given preference over students from other states and other countries in regards to college tuition. This alone could save my wife and me approximately $100,000 in tuition for each of our two children. That’s a whopping $200,000—money my wife is already planning for our silver anniversary two year round-the-world tour.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.

Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,

Hail Hamilton

Sierra Madre, CA.

(To my readers: Get your forms NOW! Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-289-1040. Tell your friends. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.)

Cc. Senator Barbara Boxer

       Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

The Declaration of Independence—July 4^th, 1776

By Hail Hamilton

Writing the Declaration of Independence
Currier & Ives, Library of Congress

This July 4th communities throughout the nation will again celebrate the birthday of the United States of America with fireworks, parades and picnics. This celebration marks the day on July 4, 1776 when a group of intrepid men in the Second Continental Congress acted unanimously to declare independence from Great Britain.

Knowing that the colonies were on the brink of war with Britain, on June 11, 1776 the Continental Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as a committee to draft a declaration of independence. After sharing ideas about the type of document needed, the committee delegated Thomas Jefferson to undertake the actual writing.

Jefferson’s draft went through a tedious process of revision and rewording before its unanimous approval on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence is now considered one of the most significant argument for democracy ever written.

For this reason, Independence Day is our most important national holiday. It is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on the Fourth of July, 1776 in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Perhaps this year—with the upcoming election of our 44^th President—is a good time to review the events that lead to the writing and signing of the Declaration, to remember the Founding Fathers for the eloquent statement they made to the world: that a new nation had been born by free men dedicated to the establishment of a government of, by and for its citizens—in short, a representative, popularly elected, democratic republic.

At the time of the signing of the Declaration the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. Leading up to the signing, there had been growing unrest in the colonies over the taxes that colonists were required to pay to England. The major objection was "Taxation without Representation" -- the colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.

Rather than negotiating, King George sent extra troops to the colonies to help control any rebellion that might arise. The following timeline is a brief history of the events that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America's break from British rule.

During the blistering summer of 1776, 56 courageous men gathered at the Pennsylvania State House and defied the King of England. Eleven years later, representatives from 12 states gathered to shape the U.S. Constitution, finally creating one unified nation.

1774 - The 13 colonies send delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. While unrest was brewing, the colonies were far from ready to declare war.

April 1775 -- King George's troops advance on Concord, Massachusetts, prompting Paul Revere's midnight ride that sounded the alarm "The British are coming, the British are coming."

The subsequent battle of Concord, famous for being the "shot heard round the world," would mark the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1776 -- After nearly a year of trying to work our differences with England, the colonies again send delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

June 1776 -- Admitting that their efforts were hopeless, a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman.

June 28, 1776 -- Jefferson presents the first draft of the declaration to congress.

July 4, 1776 -- After various changes to Jefferson's original draft, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration; 2, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No; Delaware was undecided and New York abstained.

John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is said that he signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!"

July 6, 1776 -- The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.

July 8, 1776 -- The first public reading of the declaration takes place in Philadelphia's Independence Square. The bell in Independence Hall, then known as the "Province Bell" would later be renamed the "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - "Proclaim Liberty throughout All the Land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."

August 1776 - The task begun on July 4, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not actually completed until August. Nonetheless, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence from Britain.

July 4, 1777 -- The first Independence Day celebration takes place. It's interesting to speculate what those first 4th festivities were like. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were firmly established as part of American Independence Day culture.

So this Fourth of July remember the events that led to the Declaration of Independence. Remember the Founding Fathers for the bravery they exhibited by signing it and the promise they made to each other: “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” Most of all, remember the ideals they so eloquently expressed in the document:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Freedom from Fear—Norman Rockwell

Flag Day is a day for all Americans to celebrate our Flag. It is the one day out of the year that we commemorate the Stars and Stripes for what it represents—our independence and our unity as a nation… “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The American Flag has a glorious and honorable history, and deserves our praise.  

Even Old Glory sometimes needs mending.

Old Glory is a powerful symbol of our country, proudly proclaiming our nation’s spirit and aspirations. Its red, white and blue colors, with its 50 stars and 13 stripes, remind us our history as a nation and our future as a people. It speaks of freedom and opportunity, and the ideals of equality and justice. It has led Americans in every battle fought by the United States, and honors the thousands of Americans who have died or been wounded defending it. Old Glory even stands proudly as the lone ensign of freedom on the moon.

Old Glory symbolizes American diversity and good will.

The Stars and Stripes is a stately reminder of our history as a free people. It is a reminder of our unique heritage of liberty and democracy. It is also a reminder that the United States is a work in progress, and that much remains to realize its unfulfilled promise. Like a bright beacon in the night, the Star-Spangled Banner reminds us of our nation’s diverse origins, common humanity, and unfinished business. Like Lady Liberty, its brilliant stars and stunning stripes proudly proclaim to all humankind: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free….”

Old Glory also symbolizes that America is a work in progress.

Flag Day was originally the idea of a teacher, Bernard Cigrand, who taught at Stony Hill School near the farming town of Fredonia, Wisconsin. Although he later became a professor of dentistry and a college dean, Cigrand began a lifelong crusade on June 14, 1885 to honor the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.  Thirty-one years later in 1916, his devotion to the Flag was rewarded when June 14 was declared National Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson.

Old glory has been jealously defended by men and women, at home and abroad.

In 1949, long after Dr. Cigrand’s death, President Harry Truman signed a Congressional Act proclaiming that the Stars and Stripes would be displayed on all government buildings to commemorate its importance as a national symbol. From then on Old Glory would be ceremoniously raised and lowered each day at schools, post offices, and other public buildings and monuments all across the nation.

Proudly displaying Old Glory on Flag Day is as American as cherry pie. Honoring the Stars and Stripes is a patriotic act expressing our gratitude for all we have as a free people.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our Flag.

Old Glory means an American military that is mersiful as well as mighty.

So raise the Stars and Stripes this Flag Day and every other day with pride! Hoist it high in the sky, and admire with reverence and humility as it billows freely in the wind. Take a moment to gaze at this red, white and blue Star-Spangled Banner, and ponder the meaning of this sacred symbol “of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” Take a moment to examine Old Glory more closely and reflect about its most important meaning; because it is not important what it means to me, or what it means to anyone else, what is important is WHAT THE AMERICAN FLAG MEANS TO YOU!

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."