Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Issue Position: Health Care

Where we are -
45.7 million Americans have no health insurance [13]. For the people who have coverage, they've seen their deductibles and co-pays rise dramatically since Bush took office. Further, the cost of prescription drugs has risen as well. Rep. Upton enthusiastically backed Bush's Medicare bill which created the now infamous "donut hole" in prescription drug coverage, and has refused to support universal health care [14]. Upton says "we are not ready yet" for universal health care, but with 45.7 million Americans with no coverage, and those with health insurance struggling to pay rising costs, how much longer can we afford to wait?

What I believe -
I believe our nation needs universal, single-payer healthcare, and more affordable prescription drugs. Health insurance should be affordable, comprehensive, accessible and portable. Our health care system should emphasize prevention, giving "health care" to people, not just "sick care." The government should be permitted to negotiate down the cost of prescription drugs with drug companies, especially if it helps people afford their necessary medications. I believe that healthcare is a human right and should be available to all, not a commodity for the privileged few.

The change we need -
As your representative, I will support H.R. 676 to create a single-payer, universal health care system in the United States
[15]. I will also support any and all measures to make health care for children a fundamental right. I fully support Sen. Barack Obama's proposal to make health care for children universal, immediate and comprehensive.

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