Further, from an economic perspective it is beyond comprehension that
approximately one million Americans will go bankrupt this year from
medically related expenses. Further, both small and large businesses
are increasingly finding themselves economically uncompetitive with the
rest of the world because of soaring health care costs.
Clearly, we need a fundamental overhaul of our health care system --
and that is what I am fighting for. In that regard, I am proud to have
introduced S. 703, Single Payer Medicare for All legislation which
would provide comprehensive, cost-effective health care for every man,
woman and child in our country. A single-payer system can achieve those
goals because it eliminates some $400 billion a year in administration
costs, profiteering and excessive CEO compensation engendered by the
for-profit private health insurance industry.
Let me be frank. While I will fight as hard as I can for my
single-payer legislation on the floor of the Senate it will likely
fail. Sadly, the power of the health care industry, which is spending
$1.3 million a DAY on lobbying, is just too great.
As a fall-back position I will demand a strong public option in any
health care legislation that comes to the floor. The American people
must have the right to choose, if they want, a Medicare-type public
option which competes with the private insurance companies and keeps
them honest and accountable. Any health care reform legislation which
passes must also focus on disease prevention, improved primary care,
quality control, lower cost prescription drugs costs and universal
coverage.
Let me conclude by mentioning that while the health care debate rages
in Washington, I am happy to tell you that we are making some real
progress in significantly improving primary health care which is
accessible and affordable for Vermonters. In the last few years my
office, working with communities around the state, has greatly expanded
the Federally Qualified Health Center Program which provides quality
health and dental care, mental health counseling and low-cost
prescription drugs on a sliding scale basis. There are now over 100,000
Vermonters who receive their primary health care through FQHCs.
Once again, thanks very much for writing. Together, we will continue
the fight to provide quality health care for all Americans at an
affordable cost.
For more information on what I am doing on health care and other issues, please visit my website, www.sanders.senate.gov.
