The Health Care Crisis: Letters from Vermont and America

I sent an email to my Senate mailing list requesting support for a single-payer Medicare-for-All system, and for personal stories describing the problems people are having with their health care coverage. Within a few weeks, some 40,000 people signed the single-payer petition and more than 4,000 sent in their personal stories. I want to thank all of those who responded.

I collected some of the letters in a booklet, "The Health Care Crisis: Letters from Vermont and America." In poignant and heartbreaking terms, the letters describe the pain and outrage that people are experiencing within our dysfunctional health care system.

A man in Swanton, Vt., told the story of his younger brother, a combat-decorated veteran of the Vietnam conflict, who died three weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. "He was laid off from his job and could not afford COBRA coverage. When he was in enough pain to see a doctor, it was too late. He left a wife and two teenage sons in the prime of his life at 50 years old. The attending doctor said that if he had only sought treatment earlier he would still be alive."

A woman in Eagle, Idaho, wrote of "a beautiful, intelligent, hard working small business owner who died because she couldn't afford to buy health insurance for her family nor her employees. She was 53 and I will never forgive my county for allowing the greed of the insurance companies to limit her opportunity for preventable health care. A colonoscopy at 50 would have saved her life."

Because every American needs to hear what's going on with health care in this country, I intend to read some of these letters on the floor of the Senate and send a copy of the booklet to every member of Congress.

I am sure that you will agree with me that it is unacceptable that:

• 46 million Americans lack any health insurance and that even more are underinsured.


• More than 18,000 Americans die every year because they don't have access to a doctor of their own.


• One million Americans will go bankrupt this year because of medically-related debt.


• Despite spending almost twice as much per person we lag far behind many other nations in such health care outcomes as life expectancy, infant mortality and preventable deaths.


• While we have a major shortage in primary care physicians, nurses and dentists, almost one in every three dollars spent in this country on health care goes for administration, bureaucracy and profiteering.

It has become clear that the function of a private health insurance is to make as much money as possible. Every dollar not paid out in claims is another dollar made in profits for the company. Insurance companies spend millions to hire people to do everything they can to avoid paying out legitimate claims, denying coverage because of "pre-existing conditions" and terminating coverage because of high medical bills.

It is no surprise, therefore, that tens of thousands of doctors support a single-payer health care system, as well as the largest nurses unions in the country. These health care professionals do so not just because they are outraged by the lack of coverage Americans experience, but because they are sick and tired of wasting their valuable time arguing with insurance bureaucrats about how they will treat their patients.

In my view, the fight for universal and comprehensive health care is the civil rights battle of our time. Like the other great struggles in our history that have made us a more democratic and just society, victory will require a strong and united grassroots movement that is prepared to take on the very powerful and wealthy special interests that benefit from this failing health care system.

To read the booklet, click here. Please share it with your friends.

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Comments

[Artemis34]

The Senate finance committee is supposedly looking at a way to come up with a TRILLION dollars for health care.

They must need a trillion dollars to give to their corporate masters because NO universal single payer public health care plan would cost that much.

The US is spending $3,000 MORE per person per year than the rest of the industrialized world on health care.

$3,000 savings times 310 million inhabitants = $930 BILLION

That is nearly $1 TRILLION SAVINGS in a single year!

Both Sen. Sanders' S.703 and Rep. Conyers' HR 676 have provisions to pay for public health care that would cost Americans FAR LESS than what they are spending now.

On So-called Government Financial Concerns:

If there were a real concern about finances, we would ONLY be talking about universal single payer health care which is proven to be the most cost effective means of supplying care.

If we were really concerned about money, we’d have allowed the US government to negotiate volume discounts, a fine capitalist concept, in Medicare Part D.

I don’t want to hear about financial concerns from the Senate "Finance" committee.

[Artemis34]

Thank you Sen. Sanders.

I hope someday we're able to name you the greatest American as the father of national health care, the one who saved us all.

[1sparrow]

there was a leading consultant on bill moyers last week. by conscience alone he decided to spill the beans on the health care industry. where does all that money go when one pays outrageous prices for drugs and hospital or health care. where does that money go when insurance company drops you for needing critical care at the last minute? ..."it goes to the c.e.o.'s" he said. the new c.e.o of general motors was previously the c.e.o. of a.t.t.--this is oligarchy-- we have no government... this is oligarchy.

[Artemis34]

Great program. You are referring to Wendell Potter.

"With almost 20 years inside the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter saw for-profit insurers hijack our health care system and put profits before patients. Now, he speaks with Bill Moyers about how those companies are standing in the way of health care reform. "

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

[Chironomid]

We need a "national strike for healthcare" -- all of us refuse to go to work until a public plan is fully committed to, along with serious address of costs and solving the "defensive medicine" problem. Two or three days of that would open some eyes.

[RandVictims]

We need a national strike altogether. This system is crap. 98% of our citizens are victimized *hourly* by usury, industrial poisoning, heavy taxation for war for profit but no money for social programs,.no affordable education - all this on top of a healthcare system that's driving those lucky enough to be working into bankrupcy and is inaccessible for those without employment (in all, 2/3 of the country) . As far as I'm concerned, the establishment tore-up the Social Contract and don't deserve the finite order we've been submissive to.

Why aren't we all in the streets, stopping commerce and trade until something is done to stop this tyranny? Europeans would have burned everything down for 1/10th of the crap we take from the banker oligarchy.

[pfrogger]

apathy and Americans are generally wimps.
when it's all said and done, Americans don't have a hundredth of the courage of Iranians.

[GiGiOne]

Here's your chance, Chironomid (July 30th, Washington, D.C.)

http://www.healthcare-now.org/docs/july30.pdf

Check out also

http://www.pnhp.org

http://www.standwithdrdean.com

http://sanders.senate.gov

[Artemis34]

Good links Gigi!

On Dr. Dean's site you can see where your members of congress stand and how to contact them.

http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands

Please write all of them and insist they support Sen. Sanders on S.703 and with Rep. Conyers on HR 676, public single payer plans.

This page offers some tips on writing the letter:

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5831/t/4603/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2801

[robbor]

Wall Street: Too Big to Fail

American Taxpayer: Too Small to Save

[EyesofFury]

The status quo isn't working, friends. My toddler was born with a deformity on her hand that required corrective surgery. The hand specialist noted that her radius (forearm bone) is shorter than normal, and suggested a "wait-and-see approach" to see if it will correct itself. She'll need a follow-up in the near future to determine if more surgery is required. We were coping fine under my husband's previous employer provided plan. However, to cut costs, his employer just implemented a new group policy which has raised the premiums by TRIPLE. Thus, we can no longer afford to have both hubby and her under the new plan. I'm not covered-can't afford it. Hubby has shopped around for a new plan and has applied with three well-known companies, all denied coverage due to her "pre-existing condition". I work PT, but am seeking FT work. Again, how is the status quo working? We're trying our best here, but according to Republicans, all the members of my family deserve punishment for not being able to afford private health care? Our desires for our family and every other American to have access to affordable healthcare makes us unpatriotic?? Un-Christian? But it's okay for the insurance companies to deny a toddler born with a deformity the help that she may need to live a fully productive life? It's my family's fault for not having thousands stashed away in a fund to cover the astronomical cost of this procedure?

[Artemis34]

And many of these right wingers who don't want to

"promote the general Welfare"

claim to be "patriots" but forget that this is one of the purposes of our government as stated in the constitution.

These same people often claim to be "Christians" but ignore Jesus' command to

"heal the sick."

So they are "patriots" who ignore the constitution and "Christians" who ignore Jesus.

[steve-in-abq]

As I responded to you on another thread:

Did you ever hear of limited government?

If we decide, as a country, that everyone is entitled to all the medical technology available today, we could spend a huge amount of our time and treasure on healthcare. How much of the budget would you like to spend on healthcare? 10%, 20%, 40%? Most of the technology available did not exist a couple of decades ago. What happened to sick people before these technologies existed? You and many others on the site assume that healthcare is a right. You are wrong.

This is important enough to state twice.

You added the "heal the sick". Nice touch. Do you want to throw all the technology we can at every person. That will cost you over 40%.

[BabyBoomer]

My husband and I have owned our own small business for 30 years managing law firm libraries in the NYC Metropolitan area. We have 14 employees and have paid 100% of the health care premium for them until this year when Oxford Health Plans increased their premium 20%. In the past 30 years many politicians acknowledged the importance of small businesses to this nation. However, in practice, most legislation passed in Washington and on the State level favor big business interests. Health care has now become the single most top moral issue of our time. Wall Street and Washington touted that if you give the wealthy the lion"s share of the country's wealth, they will create industries, which will create jobs, and wealth will trickle down. Not only didn't that happen, but our country's wealth was actually destroyed by them. Since the wealthy in this country have neither created a 21st industry, nor a 21st century infrastructure in spite of the enormous transfer of wealth to their control, they owe it to our country, the poor and middle class who helped create their wealth, to finance single payer health care. After all, their tax cuts cost us 1.8 trillion dollars. It’s the least they can do for this country. It's really a moral issue, it truly is. Republican opposition to public health care is simply a continuation of class warfare on the part of the wealthy against the middle class and poor people. What happened to simple decency.

[RandVictims]

Excellent post!

[vanmungo]

But the mainstream Democrats are equally opposed to "public health care." The public option plans being floated by a few of these Dems are doomed-to-fail farces--enfeebled, hamstrung contrivances whose main purpose is to retain the stranglehold of the HMOs who have so liberally stuffed their campaign coffers--to the tune of $90 million in the 2008 election cycle alone (to only $76 million for the Republicans).

Obama and the Congressional Democratic leadership have been just as militant and unbending in their opposition to single payer as the Republicans.

It's long past time for conventional liberals to shatter their petrified illusions about the Democrats, stop playing outmoded partisan games, and recognize the bipartisan nature of the corporate war against the interests of the mass of the American people.

[Artemis34]

Van Mungo wrote "the mainstream Democrats are equally opposed to "public health care.""

That is incorrect.

THE ONLY "DEMOCRAT" (IN NAME ONLY) WHO HAS SAID THEY OPPOSE PUBLICH HEALTH CARE IS

Sen Mary Landrieu D LA
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? No
Contact information:
Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]
Web: http://landrieu.senate.gov/

All others either support or stat they are still undecided.

Senator responses to each specific question are posted here::
http://standwithdrdean.com/whipcount-results

[Cleanerman]

I am tired of it all. I give up! It is evident that Congress just as well do so, too. Because, if anything passes in the name of health care reform, it appears it is going to be so watered down as to be basically worthless. Let's just forget health care reform or any other progressive reform (environment, energy efficiency, new technologies, etc.) and just play--watching Palin with her ongoing antics, loving or demeaning Michael Jackson, listening to the mind-numbing chatter of Rush, Billo, and, finally, twiddle our thumbs at the end of each declining day in America. We had 8 years of Republican rule--see where that got us---now, we are under Democratic rule---where are we headed? Doesn't look good. The Republicans have no brains (because of greed) and the Democrats have no balls (fear of the Repugs and lobbyists).

[pfrogger]

I don't think that's accurate.
The Dems have b@lls, they were just bought out like the Repubs.

Everything else I basically agree with.

[schatsie]

All veterans should have single payer or VA or whatever... Roll out the Medicare program for the veterans...Roll out Medicaid for all children.... and put a Public Health Surtax of 10% on all income over 1 million dollars...TOOO DAMN BAD IF THEY DON"T WANT TO PAY IT.......They CAN AFFORD IT....

and AUDIT 100% of the top 500 people and 100% of the top 500 corporations....and tax the greedy TRUST FUND BABIES.....

[Artemis34]

B u s h fired everyone in the IRS who was auditing the rich. Don't know if they've got them replaced yet, but that would be a start.

I agree 100% that no veteran should go without health care, but universal single payer would do this too.

I'm with you on the unearned income.

Why should P a r i s H i l t o n pay 15% tax when the rest of us, poor working slobs, have to pay much more than that on income we earn?

[Debbie1996]

I'd be really interested in understanding why the VA is failing. Everyone is pointing to a government run solution, but when veterans are dying of colon cancer.... clearly government is not the answer.

[pfrogger]

the VA is failing???
veterans are dying of colon cancer???

really? you have a link or source? or you want us to take your word for it?

[Nonpartay]

So what is? Private insurance? Please. When they can legally, without a medical license, deny what your doctor orders, you know you're in big trouble. Not everyone has access to the VA, but it works, and nothing says it can't be improved. We just need the will to do it. The same holds true of health care, which I agree with Bernie Sanders, is a civil right, not a privilege just for those who can pay. There is no reason that a country as rich as ours is couldn't provide health care for its citizens. Other countries do it, and they don't have nearly the problems we do with high infant mortality rates, people dying for lack of care, and people going bankrupt because they got care they couldn't pay for. Why anyone would wish for the system we have to remain in place is beyond me. It is simply the most reprehensible system imaginable. Anything would be better than this. Just anything. And btw, I work for a doctor so I see it from the other side, too. I simply can't imagine anything as unfair as what we're dealing with right now. It's unfair for everyone.

[NormGoldman]

It's kind of hard for them to succeed when they have absolutely no funding.

[Khirad]

So, you're for Xe over our military? Government isn't the answer, you say.

[vanmungo]

Beware right-wing viral progaganda.

[pfrogger]

LBJ on Medicare/Medicaid
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/359/22/2384
"I'll go a hundred million or a billion on health or education. I don't argue about that any more than I argue about Lady Bird [Mrs. Johnson] buying flour. You got to have flour and coffee in your house and education and health. I'll spend the goddamn money. I may cut back some tanks. But not on health."

No more presidents like this. "education and health. I'll spend the goddamn money. I may cut back some tanks. But not on health"
Paraphrase - You don't just fight the ones you can win. You fight the fights that are WORTH FIGHTING!!!

[Debbie1996]

hmmmmmm quoting the guy who botched Vietnam on fighting wars.... interesting choice....

[pfrogger]

and fighting wars is like healthcare? how?
lack of success on one policy does not mean lack of success in other policies.

[pfrogger]

Only in America!

only in America can politicians receive campaign money from big business and not a single word of conflict of interest.
only in America can lobbying, ie. legal bribery, be not only allowed, but accepted as the norm.
only in America can politicians openly oppose a public plan when the private insurers are destroying the healthcare system, destroying families with bankruptcies, and killing people by denying coverage or refusing them outright.
only in America can a price be set on someone's health and their life.
only in America can people postpone or sabotage healthcare reform. how many people are suffering? how many are dying while the politicians hold off true healthcare reform?
and only in America can these people not be held accountable for their actions, while they enjoy a very cheap and affordable system that they enjoy and taxpayers pay for.
medicare passed, and helped the elderly. they no longer had to deal with insurance compnaies and their scams. now no one would consider taking away medicare, which is still more affordable than any private plan. only in this country can affordable and quality healthcare be denied and doom people to death, bankruptcy, and poor health coverage.

[ssfahrer]

That is CAPITALISM. Learn to love it! Everyone and everything has its price. What is so wrong about that????

[Nonpartay]

This is a joke, right?

[pfrogger]

everyone has a price?
everything has a price?

really??? tell us more oh wise and sage capitalism-man.

just curious. what's your price? how about your health? that have a price? how about the health of your children or your loved ones? do they have a price?
seriously, what is their price?

[Artemis34]

That IS NOT capitalism!

On Insurance Competition (and law of supply and demand) in health care -

There is NO competition in health insurance now. Therefore “free market” forces cannot work.

The insurance companies are a price fixing oligopoly that is exempt from Sherman Antitrust Act regulation!

They don’t deserve protection from competition. They collect premiums and do not pay claims. This is theft. This is criminal, not capitalist!

Demand for health care is INELASTIC in that you will pay any amount to get it, particularly when you are facing death! Therefore the law of supply and demand does not work.

[pennstater21]

I think its hilarious how some people don't want universal healthcare. I'm for universal healthcare, universal housing, universal food, universal intimacy with barack obama... o wait a minute you can't service infinite demand with a limited supply. You guys need to take an econ 101 class, and not the ones taught in Public Liberal universities, I'm talking about the correct form of economics that predicted every recession/­depression for the past 100 years. Austrian economics. Don't believe me eh, well its not entirely your fault. Oh and here is something most of you probably don't comprehend in addition to the universal healthcare fallacy, since the creation of the federal reserve 95% of the value of the dollar bill (aka grandparents, parents and personal wealth) has been inflated away. In other words the government(they people would trust with your health and well being) has effectively transferred that wealth from you(the average citizen) to itself as well as the banking elite that owns the Federal Reserve. I know universal healthcare sounds rosy as does "equality for all" and "war on drugs" but they are never going to be realized. Thats the point, it gives government an eternal cause to take things from you.

[pfrogger]

than how can every other industrialized country do it?

before you talk about rationing, note that private insurance denies coverage, ie. rationing, and you can only see doctors in the system of your private insurance. also tell me why most of these other countries have decreased infant mortality rates and increased life spans.

[pennstater21]

Increased lifespans and infant mortality is correlated highly with diet pfrogger, americans eat toxic chemicals put into our food under the administration of government run agencies working with big business. It is in thier best interest to keep you fat and happy. Why else have farm subsidizing programs that artificially cheapen the food you buy/directly lower the measured inflation rate that is measured off of the commodities that they subsidize? Oh and the other industrialized countries you are talking about are almost exclusively in the European Union, move there if you think its better. I've been to these countries and interviewed citizens about their healthcare. It's not horrible, though not up to par with our standards, but you have to deal with unemployement rates in the high teens to lower 20's to pay for it. What would you rather have, a job or decreased healthcare? Seems a pretty easy choice to me.

[Nonpartay]

So you prefer the private insurance companies to take things away from you? Like your life? Sorry, but at least the Government would be held accountable, it consisting of We the People and all. Insurance companies are accountable to no one but the bottom line and their overpaid CEOs.

[pennstater21]

The obvious answer to your questions is lack of consumer conciousness on behalf of the consumer. What other transactions do you enter into where you expect a third party to pay the bill and do not worry about the price tag? Government intervention would exacerbate this problem not solve it. The answer is to provide different insurance options, not required by employer, that have high deductables. You would be responsible for any doctor bills under 5000 dollars. You could individually tailor your plan, the end cost per month should fall to historical levels realized not even 50 years ago of around 30$(inflation adjusted) per month. Other incentives would be placed in to encourage cost conciousness among consumers. This is the plan laid out by those looking to improve your quality of life, not control it.

[krocklin]

I don't have health insurance. A doctor I went to sent me for a blood test. It was $924.
A lawyer friend of mine said it would have been $70 with health insurance. Does that make any sense?
I don't believe in the all the pharmaceutical companies peddling their drugs. Like Bill Maher. But people believe in all these drugs.
I can afford health insurance, but don't buy it on principle.

[pfrogger]

drugs are like any thing else. excess with or without causes problems. moderation is the key.

one of the problems I see as a doctor is a lack of basic preventative medicine and healthy living ideals. these have to be taught to everyone. but the key is to teach them to the young so they grow up living healthier lives.
why is obesity an epidemic in this country? why are so many preventable health problems so uncontrolled in this country?
educate, educate, and educate.
why is there a major portion of this population so averse to education.
paraphrase: there's nothing wrong with not knowing, the true crime is not wanting to know and reveling in your ignorance.

[Artemis34]

High stress levels predispose people to weight gain.

Poverty predisposes people to weight gain.

Untreated endocrine illnesses and sleep apnea can lead to weight gain.

And as to weight gain, to so many other illnesses too.

When I immigrated to Canada from the States,

I felt as though a enormous burden had been lifted off of me knowing that I had health care no matter what!

JUST KNOWING I had access to care improved my health and my outlook tremendously.

Americans bear an incredible burden of STRESS

due to the uncertainty inherent in the US "health care" system which is ruining their health!

Add to that, the elite grinding Americans into poverty by keeping wages flat and causing prices for everything, including health care, to skyrocket and you get a recipe for misery.

[mssisyphus]

Thank You Sir, for all you have done and are trying to do.

As far as I am concerned, you are the lone voice of the people, and are there for the reason that the other 99 SHOULD be there for, the best interest of the American people!!

Thank you for not allowing yourself to be "Bought and Sold" as so many other Senators are!!