Our Values and our Policies: Health care in U.S.: Moral imperative, moral repulsion

dear citizens all, aloha,

     Seldom do we have such a stark reminder of why we need concerted political action:  the travesty of a bill purporting to provide health care that in fact needs to be vigorously opposed because it is patently destructive to health care in America for those on the middle and bottom rungs of the economic ladder.

     The years-long fight for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought together many disparate elements to get part way toward the real moral imperative, health care for all in 21st century America.

     Universal health care represents our values and our driving health care policy in the Democratic Party, from FDR forward.

After signing the ACA , Mr. Obama declared in a phone call to supporters that this was not the bill he wanted to sign, -- he wanted "single payer" -- but he cautioned that progress has always come in increments, whether in civil and human rights, gender equality, voting, social security or health care.

     I regret that we did not work harder to build broader consensus on Medicare/Medicaid for all, but we should not lose sight of the fact that we have already achieved a broad consensus on the idea of universal health care, which must be part of our core platform going forward.

     The attempt to obliterate any achievements of the Obama two-term presidency continues to be an evident driver of the Trump Administration's focus and of the no-longer Grand Old Party's operatives.

     I share the moral outrage palpable in the Washington Post's Plumline piece today and invite all of us to read it twice.

     There are plenty of talking points in this piece for us to use in our conversations, social media, and correspondence.  Check it out!

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/43396-every-republican-who-voted-for-this-abomination-must-be-held-accountable

     Secondly, Senator Hirono will be with us tomorrow on Kauai (see previous posts).  RSVP if you can to ensure your free ticket will get you in even if the event is "overbooked", that is, more want in than there is room for.

     I would be very surprised if she did not agree 100% with senior Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz on what just happened.  His note is below.

     Our questions for Mazie and all our reps have to be: How do we get to universal health care now while defeating the GOP-House passed abomination and hold those who voted for it accountable now and at the polls?

To borrow a legislator's tagline:

Courage!

Michael


from Senator Schatz:

Michael,

Today’s vote by House Republicans to pass “Trumpcare” was appalling. There was no bill text, no cost estimates, and no public hearings. The only thing we know for sure is that it will hurt millions of Americans.

Here’s just a sample of what they passed in the House:

• Making sexual assault and domestic violence a pre-existing condition (that will not be covered).
• Cutting over 800 billion from Medicaid. Targeting the most needy among us.
• Cutting special education funding.
• Instituting an “age tax” allowing insurers to charge older Americans 5 times more than they charge younger Americans.

This is an awful bill, written in a back room, that only serves the wealthy at the expense of everyday Americans. I could not make this legislation worse if I tried.

Now the fight moves to the U.S. Senate. It’s going to take everything we have to stop this bill, and what we all do next will determine the healthcare of millions of people.

I will do everything in my power to stop this disastrous legislation in the Senate, but I can't do it alone. Will you add your name and say you’re ready to do everything you can to resist and fight back? Add your name here.

Republicans hope we back down and give them a victory. Let’s show them we’re just getting started.

Thank you and keep resisting,

Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator

Your thoughts? Suggestions?