Text and graphics by: Solveig Wilder, MSW Based on a class given in Spring 2006 at the CUNY Graduate Center for Worker Education by: Nick Unger – Health Advisor to TWU Local 100 and board member of Universal Healthcare Action Network (UHCAN) . Featuring Guest Speakers: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE a.k.a. I-PUSH Plan Text and graphics by: Solveig Wilder, MSW Based on a class given in Spring 2006 at the CUNY Graduate Center for Worker Education by: Nick Unger – Health Advisor to TWU Local 100 and board member of Universal Healthcare Action Network (UHCAN). Featuring Guest Speakers: Dianne Archer - Medicaid Rights Center Jeff Gold – Working Families Party of New York Mark Hannay – Director of Metro NY Health Care for All Martha Livingstone, Ph.D. – Health and Society Department at SUNY Old Westbury Len Rodberg, MD - Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) With information and data from: Richmond, Julius B., MD, and Fein, Rashi, MD (2005): The Health Care Mess – How We Got
Transcript
IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCAREa.k.a. I-PUSH Plan
Text and graphics by: Solveig Wilder, MSW
Based on a class given in Spring 2006 at the CUNY Graduate Center for Worker Education by:
Nick Unger – Health Advisor to TWU Local 100 and board member of Universal Healthcare Action Network (UHCAN).
Featuring Guest Speakers:
Dianne Archer - Medicaid Rights Center
Jeff Gold – Working Families Party of New York
Mark Hannay – Director of Metro NY Health Care for All
Martha Livingstone, Ph.D. – Health and Society Department at SUNY Old Westbury
Len Rodberg, MD - Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)
With information and data from:
Richmond, Julius B., MD, and Fein, Rashi, MD (2005): The Health Care Mess – How We Got Into It and What It Will Take To Get Out. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Bodenheimer, Thomas S., and Grumbach, Kevin (2005): Understanding Health Policy – A Clinical Approach (4th Edition). New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill.
WHEN I WAS YOUNG
I was mostly healthy and did not give much thought to healthcare in the United States.
BUT THEN…
I became very sick.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN… I found myself caught up in the U.S. healthcare MAZE!!!
WITHOUT…
Money Degrees Friends in High Places OR HEALTH INSURANCE!!!
I WAS NOT ALONE
There are 40 million UNINSURED Americans.
There are 31 million UNDERINSURED Americans.
These statistics do not include the 8 to 14 million undocumented workers and children living in America without healthcare coverage.
10%
14%
76%
INSURED
UNINSURED
UNDERINSURED
MOST UNINSURED AMERICANS ARE:
68%
19%
13%
F/T WORKER
UNEMPLOYED
P/T WORKER
Between 19 and 64 Low-Income Employed Non-White
20%
40%
40%UNDER 19
19 - 34
35 -64
33%
34%
16%
17%0-$25,000
$25,000-$49,999
$50,000-$74,999
$75,000 and up
48%
30%
17%
5%
WHITE
HISPANIC
BLACK
ASIAN
THE PROGNOSIS IS ABYSMALFOR AMERICANS WITHOUT HEALTHCARE
Uninsured Americans have 25 percent higher mortality rates.
Approximately 18,000 Americans die prematurely each year because they lack health insurance;
Uninsured women are 50 percent more likely to die of breast cancer.
55 percent of uninsured Americans postpone getting help with ailments because they fear the cost.
33 percent forego medical treatments deemed necessary;
18 percent cannot afford to purchase prescribed medications;
Approximately 32,000 Americans forego life-saving medical treatments for heart disease.
Many children in uninsured households never see a doctor, including:
Approximately 270,000 children suffering from asthma;
Approximately 350,000 children with recurrent earaches; and
Approximately 350,000 children with severe sore throats.
Uninsured Americans account for approximately 50 percent of all bankruptcies.
EXPENDITURES ON HEALTHCARE IN THE USHAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY SINCE 1960
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
1960 1970 1980 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003
National HealthExpenditures(in Billions)
TOTAL HEALTH EXPENDITURESAS A PERCENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
GREAT BRITAIN HAS UNIVERSAL HEALTHCAREAND MUCH BETTER RESULTS
U.S. 7.2 U.K.
5.9
0
2
4
6
8
Infant Mortality Rates
U.S.
U.K.
U.S. 4178
U.K. 1461
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Per Capita Healthcare Spending
U.S.
U.K.
U.S. 37
U.K. 18
0
10
20
30
40
Overall Performance Rating(1 = best; 40=worst)
U.S.
U.K.
U.S. 40%
U.K. 57%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%
% of Population Satisfied with Healthcare System
U.S.
U.K.
U.S. 70
U.K. 71.7
69.0
69.5
70.0
70.5
71.0
71.5
72.0
Life Expectancy (Avg. M/F)
U.S.
U.K.
UK NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE VS. US HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Tier 1 - Primary Care: Focus is on treating common health problems and implementing preventive measures throughout the UK. Everyone is assigned a General Practitioner (GP), who is responsible for developing treatment plans, providing treatment for common health problems, monitoring health, and making referrals for more serious health problems.
Tier 2 - Secondary Care: Focus is on more serious ailments that affect approximately 10 to 50 percent of the population. Patients are assigned to a Specialist in things like surgery, neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
Tier 3 - Tertiary Care: Focus is on the most serious ailments that affect approximately 10 percent of the population. Patients are assigned to a Sub-Specialist for things like heart disease and spinal injuries.Progressive Tax: 82%
No distinction is made between the employed and unemployed, or social insurance and public assistance.
FINANCING: MULTI-PAYER
Government (Regressive Tax)
Private Insurers
DELIVERY: MULTIPLE PROVIDERS ACCESS: OPEN TO SOME CITIZENS
Employers
Individuals
For-Profit Agencies
Hospitals
Non-Profit Agencies
Nursing Homes
Mental Institutions
Schools &Universities
Research Programs
Private Practice
Those with MONEY
Those with INSURANCE
The DESERVING POOR
THE INSTITUTE FOR MEDICINE OFFERS FOUR PROTOTYPES FOR HEALTHCARE REFORM IN THE US
PROTOTYPE 1: MAJOR PUBLIC PROGRAM EXPANSION AND NEW TAX CUTS Employer-based health coverage would remain as is. Employers would not be required to provide any more health coverage than they do now, and tax breaks
for employers and untaxed health benefits for employees would continue. Tax credits would be given to individuals who purchase healthcare coverage from private insurers. Medicare would be offered to Americans at age 55 for a modest premium. Medicaid and SCHIP would be combined.
PROTOTYPE 2: EMPLOYER MANDATE, PREMIUM SUBSIDY, AND INDIVIDUAL MANDATE All citizens would have healthcare coverage from either the government, their employers, or private
insurers. Employers would be required to provide healthcare coverage for all employees and contribute to employee
premiums. The federal government would subsidize the healthcare costs of employers of low-wage workers. Medicare would remain as is, while Medicaid and SCHIP would be combined.
PROTOTYPE 3: INDIVIDUAL MANDATE AND TAX CREDIT All citizens would be required to secure healthcare coverage through the private market. The federal government would provide all citizens with an advance, refundable tax credit. State governments would regulate healthcare insurance. Medicare would remain as is, while Medicaid and SCHIP would be eliminated.
PROTOTYPE 4: SINGLE-PAYER SYSTEM All citizens would be enrolled in a single, comprehensive healthcare program. All citizens would have the option to purchase supplemental healthcare coverage for services not covered. The government would monitor but not manage healthcare delivery. Costs would be contained with “global budgets” and caps.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH SUGGESTED MORE MODEST REFORMS IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
HEALTH CARE FINANCING WHO WILL PAY? Healthcare will pay for itself with money saved from “health savings accounts,” and by curtailing lawsuits, closing loopholes, privatizing healthcare, and increasing efficiency (i.e., reducing medical errors and increasing the use of electronic records).WHO WILL BENEFIT? American business, because it keeps them “competitive;” the elderly; and “the needy.”WHO WILL SACRIFICE? Virtually no one, because it “eliminates the need for sacrifice.”
HEALTH CARE ACCESSHEALTHCARE AVAILABLE TO: “All Americans.”UNCLEAR how all Americans will access healthcare.UNCLEAR what the barriers to access will be.
HEALTH CARE DELIVERYHEALTHCARE DELIVERED BY: more private agencies and fewer government agencies.UNCLEAR how healthcare will be organized. UNCLEAR what the quality of healthcare will be.
SO FAR, ATTEMPTS TO INTRODUCE UNIVERSALUS HEALTHCARE HAVE FAILED MISERABLY
W E W A N T C H O I C E !
W E W A N T F R E E D O M !
W E D O N ’ T W A N T T O W A I T !
W E W A N T T O D E C I D E !
N O B I G G O V E R N M E N T !
N O N E W T A X E S !
I T ’ S A S L I P P E R Y S L O P E T O S O C I A L I S M !
BUT I PREDICT AMERICANS ARE GOING TO LOVE IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE
IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCAREIS SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND
HEALTH CARE FINANCING WHO WILL PAY? Federal/State governments with funds from a progressive tax (Single-Payer).WHO WILL BENEFIT? Virtually everyone.WHO WILL MAKE SACRIFICES? Rich people with VERY little time to spare.
HEALTH CARE ACCESSHEALTHCARE AVAILABLE TO: Everyone in the US, including immigrants and tourists.BARRIERS TO ACCESS: All barriers related to financial circumstances, employment, geography, demographics, etc., will be eliminated – along with the paperwork!
HEALTH CARE DELIVERYHEALTHCARE DELIVERED BY: Government-Run Agencies (Single-Provider).HEALTHCARE ORGANIZED: As simply and comprehensively as possible, with a heavy emphasis on general practitioners.QUALITY ASSURED BY: Top-notch computer tracking systems and quality assurance teams staffed with consumer advocates.
AND IDIOT PROOF US HEALTHCARE IS SO EASY FOR CONSUMERS AND PROVIDERS TO MANAGE
FINANCING: SINGLE-PAYER(Government Financing)
DELIVERY: SOCIALIZED(Government-Run Facilities)
ACCESS: OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES
Progressive Tax: 90%
Employer: 10%
Consumer: Not a Red Cent
Tier 2 - Secondary Care: Focus is on more serious ailments that affect approximately 10 to 50 percent of the population. Patients are assigned to a Specialist in things like surgery, neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
Tier 1 - Primary Care: Focus is on treating common health problems and implementing preventative measures throughout the US. Everyone is assigned a General Practitioner (GP), who is responsible for developing treatment plans, providing treatment for common health problems, monitoring health, and making referrals for more serious health problems.
Tier 3 - Tertiary Care: Focus is on the most serious ailments that affect approximately 10 percent of the population. Patients are assigned to a Sub-Specialist for things like heart disease and spinal injuries.
NO DISTINCTIONS ARE MADE BETWEEN:
• Employed/Unemployed• Social Insurance/Public Assistance• Citizens/Aliens
IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE COMBINES THE BEST IDEAS FROM LEADING PROPONENTS OF HEALTHCARE REFORM
Both Mark Hannay and Professor Livingstone would like to see things “go further.” But single-payer healthcare reforms would move us a step forward.
Instead of healthcare being a “for profit enterprise,” it will come out of our taxes (progressively);
It is portable coverage, so we won’t lose our coverage when we move from job to job;
It will cover all “necessary” treatment, as well as preventive healthcare measures.
Jeff Gold of the Working Families Party (WFP) say National US Healthcare MUST BE:
Universal; Portable and long term; Equitably financed; Flexible regarding choice of provider and
treatment; Readily available in even remote areas; All-inclusive, covering all physical, mental, and
pharmaceutical healthcare needs.
Dr. Len Rodberg of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) says National US Healthcare MUST:
Guarantee automatic enrollment in a national healthcare program that is publicly financed;
Be critically supervised to guard against “parasitic companies.”
Dianne Archer of the Medicaid Rights Center says National US Healthcare MUST BE:Modeled after the US Medicare program, which works because it is:
Affordable; Automatic; Able to negotiate prices; Reliable and efficient; Shares costs and benefits across the American
spectrum.
Mark Hannay of Metro Healthcare for All and Professor Martha Livingstone of SUNY Old Westbury says National US Healthcare MUST BE:A Single-Payer system, which is a financial reform, not a systemic reform; and is social insurance, not socialized healthcare.
ALL AMERICANS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TOWITHDRAW FROM IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE
Just go to WWW.IPULLOUT.COM. Click on “I Don’t Want Idiot-Proof US Healthcare.” Fill out the form designed to ensure that you are a US citizen of sane mind and
body capable of making complex choices about your health and well-being. After a background check of your health records, you will be interviewed by an
Idiot-Proof US Healthcare Specialist. You will be asked to sign a consent form stating that you understand refusing
Idiot-Proof US Healthcare will leave you without coverage in the event of any and all illnesses.
You will receive notice in the mail of your removal from Idiot-Proof US Healthcare. Your employer and family members will be informed of your decision. Each year, you will receive a rebate check of about $2,516 – the average amount
spent in 2003 on healthcare in Canada by the government ($1,886 USD) plus private sources ($630 USD) per person.
BUT PLEASE NOTE: The average amount spent in 2003 on healthcare in the US by the government was $2,548, and by private sources was $2,719 – totaling $5,267 per person.
AMERICANS CAN ALSO CHOOSENOT TO PUT UP THE MONEY FOR NON-CITIZENS
Just call 1-800-I-PUT-OUT, and an Idiot-Proof Call Representative will be ready to assist you.
At the end of each year, you will receive a rebate check calculated by dividing the total estimated cost of undocumented workers to State and Federal US governments by the total number of US citizens. For example, in 2002, a 10.4 billion dollar net loss would be divided by 300 million, resulting in a rebate check of $34.66.*
DESPITE CRIES FROM EVERY CORNER AGAINST SOCIALIZED MEDICINE, WE WILL RALLY SUPPORT
FOR IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE BY…
━ Dr. Len Rodberg of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)
Keeping it simple and making it work with what’s already out there!
━ Mark Hannay of Metro Healthcare for All. Accepting that US healthcare policy is
inextricably intertwined with politics; Realizing that a good idea alone is not enough; Beating back bad ideas like the ones presented
by President Bush in his State of the Union Address;
Building a movement on all levels – local, state and federal – and staying abreast of municipal, state and federal healthcare proposals;
Stressing moral, medical, public health, and economic imperatives;
Building alliances with religious, civil rights, medical, public health, labor, and business groups.
━ Dianne Archer of the Medicaid Rights Center Letting Americans know that the current US public
healthcare system is not bad and is not “broken;” Making sure the issue of National Healthcare
remains at the forefront of the political debate, and actively engage the media;
Exposing the narrow interests of those who are opposing national healthcare, including private insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and other powerful business groups;
Stressing the financial benefits of national healthcare.
━ Jeff Gold of the Working Families Party (WFP) and Professor Martha Livingstone of SUNY Westbury
Recognizing that healthcare issues cut across the political spectrum, and can promote unity across racial, ethnic and class lines;
Recognizing that the struggle for healthcare is also a separate and distinct one that should not just piggyback on other struggles.
TOP-TEN REASONS TO SUPPORT IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTHCARE:
10. You and your loved ones will live longer;9. You and your loved ones will get sick less often;8. You and your loved ones will live with less pain;7. You and your loved ones will have fewer financial worries;6. You and your loved ones will be more likely to receive only appropriate
and warranted treatment;5. You and your loved ones will be less likely to contract communicable
diseases;4. You and your loved ones will be much less likely to be fleeced when
seeking cutting-edge treatments and life-saving prescription drugs;3. You and your loved ones will no longer be consumed with guilt over
disparities in health care along racial, ethnic, gender and economic lines;
2. In the event of a catastrophe (i.e., terrorist attack, nuclear warfare, global warming, etc.), you and your loved ones will be less likely to be left to die…
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR SUPPORTING IDIOT-PROOF US HEALTH CARE IS:
No American should ever have to suffer the way I did when I becamesick without healthcare insurance!!!
