DEMAND SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE NOW

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TELL HEALTHCO WHORE MAX BAUCUS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY:
MONTANA DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HAS DOCTORS ARRESTED,
HEARS ONLY HEALTH INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

YOUTUBE: DEMOCRACY NOW
"DN! Doctors, Activists Confront Senate on Single-Payer Healthcare"
Anti-Democracy Inaction.


CORRUPT POLITICIAN SHUTS OUT AMERICAN MAJORITY,
WELCOMES CORPORATE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTERS

YOUTUBE: WILLIAM HUGHES
"Dr. Flowers on Health Care"
The why's & wherefores of Single-Payer, in a nutshell.


Rocky Mountain Whore Takes Corporate Money, Screws You

This is why the DINOs have to go. Max Baucus and other so-called Blue Dog Democrats are helping corporate Republicans destroy your health care. They want your money to go to their corporate campaign contributors, not your doctors. They want profiteering corporate middlemen, insurance company lawyers and HMO bean counters to decide whether you get treatment or not. They don't care if your Mom or Dad, son or daughter, brother or sister die for lack of health care. They are evil corporate whores and they need to be rooted out and ejected from Congress.

Today starts the fight for single-payer universal national health care. This means we all get together to manage our own health care, and see to it that everybody gets coverage. Anybody who wants to keep getting bled by insurance companies and health maintenance organizations is free to do so. Nobody will be prevented from seeing their own doctor or going to their choice of clinics or hospitals. Ignore all the lies spread by corporate thieves and their extreme right-wing whores, like Max Baucus.

Single-payer means exactly what it says: One mighty army of American taxpayers negotiating from unity & strength, saving money and getting better more affordable health care by working together, the same way we save at Costco or Sams Club, only moreso. Ain't nothin' "socialist" or "foreign" about it. Saving money and getting a better product is as American as cherry pie with Cool-Whip.

Contribute to this campaign for single payer. Add your voice to the experts: Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who are fighting today for your right to health care. Start working now to get rid of the right-wing corporate whores that are standing in the way of this in your State. The list below targets those whores.

Write Max Baucus right now and let him know you are a voter in his State, and you are mad as Hell at his exclusion and ARREST of single-payer medical experts at his US Senate Finance Committee hearings. Be sure he understands that this will be his last term in Congress if he doesn't stop selling out to the Health Care Industry that is bleeding us all dry. Do it now. Please. Thanks.

SIGN THE PETITION FOR UNIVERSAL SINGLE-PAYER NATIONAL HEALTH CARE IN 2009

LABOR NOTES
"Single-Payer Advocates Have to Get Arrested to Get Heard"
The Healthco Mafia beats up on doctors, nurses & patients.

' Eight doctors and other advocates of a national single-payer health care system–which would improve and expand Medicare to everyone–were arrested yesterday when they disrupted a Senate committee meeting on health care reform. The single-payer advocates wanted to know why experts representing their position were being excluded from the roundtable of 15 witnesses speaking before the Senate Finance Committee's roundtable on health reform. Donna Smith, a community organizer for the California Nurses Association, explained to Labor Notes why single-payer advocates had to get arrested to get heard in Washington. Donna Smith: "Our feeling is that it’s purposeful to shut out the single-payer position. National health insurance is the position advocated by about 60 percent of the public in independent polls, and almost 60 percent of physicians. There are millions of people who support single payer but it’s the one position that doesn’t bode well for the private insurance industry. And the private insurance industry contributes mightily to campaigns throughout the nation. They spend a lot of money ensuring their position in the system. These people [who were arrested yesterday] weren’t saying, ‘give us single payer.’ They were saying, ‘give us a witness!’ Give us a voice in this testimony being taken for this nation. We’ve never been afraid of that before. If these elected leaders aren’t hearing from all positions, how can they make the best decision? '

MONTHLY REVIEW
"Doctors, Single Payer Activists Arrested, Make History at Senate Finance Roundtable"
Corporate government & corporate media join forces to supress dissenting majority voices.

' It has finally happened right here in the United States. Citizens who believe healthcare is a human right have been arrested and are being processed like criminals through the Southeast District of Columbia police station. Their crime? Asking for single payer healthcare reform -- publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare -- to be discussed during the Congressional hearings on reform. Doctors and other single payer activists were handcuffed and went to jail today speaking up for single payer to be at the table in the Senate Finance Committee's roundtable discussion on healthcare access and coverage. In stark contrast, Karen Ignagni, head of the industry lobby group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), was escorted into the room like royalty by staff members of the Senate committee. Clearly, the position of the United States Senate is not with the majority of Americans who support a national, public insurance system. While neither the Finance Committee nor the press allowed their proceedings to be disrupted for very long, the air in the room and the atmosphere had changed -- the giddy and gleeful assembly of industry lobbyists who had been chattering in rapt anticipation of the coming of their carefully chosen witnesses could not deny that some brave and patriotic fellow citizens had just been hauled out for arrest for nothing more than demanding that a point of view held by a majority of patients, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers be included in the national discussion. The protestors were stoic and respectful but direct. One by one they stood. One by one they asked why single payer reform was not 'at the table' of 15 witnesses Senator Max Baucus and his Finance Committee gathered to map out what sort of coverage Americans might expect in the Senate reform bill now being crafted. Sen. Baucus eventually spoke and indicated that he was respectful of those who believe in single payer -- as he acknowledged many of his constituents in Montana do -- but he made no attempt to explain why no single payer voice has been included in any Senate discussion to date. He urged any others in the audience who might have any designs on speaking up like the protestors did to not do so, and then he moved on to his roundtable discussion. The press seated comfortably at the press table first looked amused and then puzzled by the procession of protest in the chamber. The C-SPAN cameras fixed on both the Committee's table at the front of the room and the witness table directly across from them could have easily picked up the protests but the network chose to keep their cameras fixed only on Chairman Baucus -- though the protestors' words could be heard in the audience. Only two reporters of the 20 or so assembled were curious enough or industrious enough to rise and exit the room to see the arrests being carried out in the hallway. '

OP ED NEWS
"Interview with Dr. Margaret Flowers, Arrested Tuesday at Senate Roundtable on Health Care"
The Doctor speaks for herself. Is anyone allowed to listen?

' I have with me Dr. Margaret Flowers, co-chair of the Maryland branch of the 16,000-member Physicians for a National Health Program. She is a pediatrician, and mother of three teenagers, who left the practice of medicine about two years ago to work on health care reform full time. She spends a lot of time speaking to legislators, both local and congressional, and to the public about health care reform. Dr. Flowers explains, “I got involved because I saw how private insurers were making medical decisions that were inappropriate and because I felt like I (and others) couldn't practice quality medicine because of the tricks that insurers use to avoid paying for health care. It is wrong and people are suffering and dying because of it.” Welcome, Dr. Flowers. You must be exhausted after your ‘adventures’ on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Tell us how you and your colleagues came to be rounded up by the police. "It started last week. We, meaning some of the people who advocate for a national health system based on single payer financing, learned who the Senate Finance Committee had invited to the Roundtable on the Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage and it wasn't very reassuring. Those invited represented either a conservative viewpoint or the interests of the private insurance industry and big business. None of them represented single payer – the most efficient way to expand coverage by expanding Medicare to everyone. Several of the national groups organized call-ins to members of the committee by constituents in their states. Other groups organized having faxes sent. Despite thousands of phone calls and faxes, we learned on Monday that Sen. Baucus's office had said that there would be no more invitations to speakers for the event. The Roundtable was planned as a public event, but the public was not allowed to speak or to ask questions. In addition, it was the type of event that you must get to early and stand in line for hours just to get in. It sounded like it was going to be one more in the series of very scripted and controlled events that has characterized this "health care debate." Shortly before the meeting started, one of the people in our group, Russell Mokhiber, stood up and said something to the effect that there were no people representing single payer at the table and that there were doctors in the room who were willing to take a seat. He was arrested. Following that, we rose, one by one, and spoke out for single payer. Each of the eight of us were arrested. We were handcuffed and held for around seven hours. We were charged with Unlawful Conduct and Disruption of Congress. Our first goal was to have a seat at the table. That has been a request to Congress throughout this year, really since the presidential election. All we've asked is that when the government looks at options for health care reform that single payer is given equal attention. We would like the Congressional Budget Office to review the cost of improving and expanding Medicare to everyone. We know that this is an affordable way to provide health care to everyone. If we couldn't get a seat, at least we could expose the insincerity of the current attempt at health care reform and show that single payer was actively being excluded. And I know that we could solve these problems by creating a national health system that is based on health care as a human right. The public wants a national health system and providers want a national health system, but the Senate won't listen and actively excludes our voices. '

PHYSICIANS FOR A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
"What is Single Payer?"
The truth about single-payer. From your doctors.

' Single-payer is a term used to describe a type of financing system. It refers to one entity acting as administrator, or “payer.” In the case of health care, a single-payer system would be setup such that one entity—a government run organization—would collect all health care fees, and pay out all health care costs. In the current US system, there are literally tens of thousands of different health care organizations—HMOs, billing agencies, etc. By having so many different payers of health care fees, there is an enormous amount of administrative waste generated in the system. (Just imagine how complex billing must be in a doctor’s office, when each insurance company requires a different form to be completed, has a different billing system, different billing contacts and phone numbers—it’s very confusing.) In a single-payer system, all hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers would bill one entity for their services. This alone reduces administrative waste greatly, and saves money, which can be used to provide care and insurance to those who currently don’t have it. All Americans would receive comprehensive medical benefits under single payer. Coverage would include all medically necessary services, including rehabilitative, long-term, and home care; mental health care, prescription drugs, and medical supplies; and preventive and public health measures. Care would be based on need, not on ability to pay. '

NATIONAL NURSES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
"Tell Congress to Support Single-Payer Healthcare for Everyone in America!"
Help America's nurses help you get better, more affordable universal health care. Send the email, provided:

' You and your family could have guaranteed health care today, complete and comprehensive just as is available to families in other industrialized countries. Health coverage that won't bankrupt you if you get sick, discourage you from seeking preventive care because of high out-of-pocket costs, or put you at the mercy of insurance companies who will deny treatment you need because they don't want to pay for it. America's nurses see patients harmed and dying unnecessarily every hour of every day. Why? Because the insurance companies give big money to our politicians. The result -- reform proposals that protect the insurers instead of the rest of us. There's a better way, expanding and updating Medicare to cover everyone. It's the most comprehensive, cost effective, reform of all. With guaranteed choice of doctor and provider, no co-pays and deductibles, real cost control that eliminates waste and fraud, and comprehensive benefits for less than we and our employers pay now. They may have the money but we have the votes. But the nurses need your help. Please send a message to Congress today: '

HEALTH CARE NOW
"May 30: National Day of Action - Nationwide Rallies for Improved Medicare for All"
Join the party! Get up, get out, get busy. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

' Join thousands of single-payer supporters in a nationwide week of action to support improved Medicare for all (HR 676). Single-payer activists will be gathering all over the country to say, "Healthcare, yes; Insurance companies, no," and to show solidarity with demonstrations at the AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans, a private health insurance lobby) conference in San Diego. If an action isn't already in your city, plan your own day of action! It can be a town hall meeting, demonstration in front of a local insurance company, film showing, vigil, or your own unique idea. Let us know what you'd like to start planning by contacting info@healthcare-now.org. '

OPEN SECRETS.ORG
"Power Players: With Health Sector's Money Supporting Him, Baucus Offers Prescription for Reform"
The Grand Whore Of Montana: Healthco Slut Max Baucus by the numbers.

' Position: Baucus will continue to be chair of the Senate Finance Committee, a position he has held since 2007 (he was also chair of the committee when Democrats controlled the Senate from June 2001 until January 2003). This committee has jurisdiction over the nation's largest public welfare programs, including Medicaid and Social Security. Any major reform to health care or Social Security will need Baucus's support to be successful. Money Summary: Since 1989, Baucus has raised $24.8 million and spent $22.5 million of that. In the last 20 years, individual donations have comprised 47 percent of his money. Geographically speaking, Wall Street is a big boon to the Montana senator: the New York metro area, center of commerce and finance, has contributed more to Baucus than any other region, with DC, home to many finance lobbyists, not too far behind. Campaigns Donors: Despite having no serious opponent in the 2008 election cycle, Baucus raised $11.6 million for his campaign, nearly twice the amount ($6.7 million) he raised for his previous re-election bid in which he faced a challenger with some real financial clout. Most of Baucus's top 10 contributors have remained the same since the 2002 election--predominantly health and finance-related industries--but nearly all ramped up their contributions this cycle, in the midst of an economic crisis and in preparation for impending health care reform. Absent a threat to his elected office, Baucus's surge in contributions is most likely a reflection of his rise to chair of the Finance Committee, a position that many industries will need to push in order to see their desired policy changes implemented. '

US SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
"Public Comment On Health Reform"
Tell the Committee what you think. NOW, Goddammit!

' To submit comments on the Senate Finance Committee’s Health Reform Policy Options email PDF or Word files to
Health_Reform@finance-dem.senate.gov
The deadlines for public comments are: Delivery System Reform Policy Options, May 15, 2009; Coverage Reform Policy Options, May 22, 2009; Financing Reform Policy Options, May 26, 2009. '

US SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
"Senate Finance Committee Members"
Email your Senator today

' DEMOCRATS:
MAX BAUCUS, MT
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@baucus.senate.gov
PHONE: 202-224-2651

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@rockefeller.senate.gov
PHONE: 202-224-6472

KENT CONRAD, ND
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@conrad.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-2043

JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@bingaman.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-5521

JOHN F. KERRY, MA
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@kerry.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-2742

BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@lincoln.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-4843

RON WYDEN, OR
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@wyden.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-5244

CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@schumer.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-6542

DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@stabenow.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-4822

MARIA CANTWELL, WA
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@cantwell.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-3441

BILL NELSON, FL
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@nelson.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-5274

ROBERT MENENDEZ, NJ
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@menendez.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-4744

THOMAS CARPER, DE
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@carper.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-2441


REPUBLICANS

CHUCK GRASSLEY, IA
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@grassley.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-3744

ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@hatch.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-5251

OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@snowe.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-5344

JON KYL, AZ
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@kyl.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-4521

JIM BUNNING, KY
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@bunning.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224.4343

MIKE CRAPO, ID
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@crapo.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-6142

PAT ROBERTS, KS
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@roberts.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-4774

JOHN ENSIGN, NV
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@ensign.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-6244

MIKE ENZI, WY
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@enzi.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-3424

JOHN CORNYN, TX
Corporate Campaign Contributors
Contact form
EMAIL: senator@cornyn.senate.gov
PHONE: (202) 224-2934 '

If your representatives are not on the lists above, find them & email them here:
EVERY U.S. SENATOR'S & CONGRESSMEN & -WOMEN'S EMAIL ADDRESSES

Email the White House:
Whitehouse.Gov.

Obama's Health Reform Programs:
Health Reform: Contact

The Democratic Party:
Contact: Issues

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