Posted on 11/15/2002 2:00:19 PM PST by 11th Commandment
Noting that 40 million Americans now have no health insurance, Al Gore said he now favors single-payer national health coverage. Gore, the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee and a potential candidate in 2004, offered his views in response to a question during a book promotion tour. "I was planning to wait and make a major speech on this and I probably should, but I'll just answer your question candidly," Gore said. "I think we've reached a point where the entire healthcare system is in impending crisis. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we should begin drafting a single-payer national health insurance plan."
Depending on the details, calling for a single-payer plan could be a very dramatic step for Gore. During the 2000 primary campaign, Gore attacked Democratic rival Bill Bradley's central proposal -- universal healthcare -- calling it too expensive and not expansive enough. Another potential Democratic candidate for president, Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, pushed for healthcare for all Americans in a speech last night to an education group in Washington. He wants to expand coverage under Medicare and Medicaid to people who don't have insurance. -- by the Associated Press
Not that I favor that, but if the government's going to meddle in the market, let's do something cost-effective.
Your ide sure beats Al's version of Hillary's version of Canada's failed socialized heal care.
... I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we should begin drafting a single-payer national health insurance plan" ...Way to capture the vital center of the electorate, you man of reluctant moral courage, you.
Exactly. He advocates something worse than Hilary Healthcare...
Granted, our private insurance system ain't perfect, but it's better than social healthcare. I have friends in the UK that pay for private health insurance even though healthcare there is government funded.
"Gore Admits to the Single-Payor Nationalized Health Care System That He Really Has Believed in All Along."
"...that my Iraq strategy is shambles, and I need another straw at which to grasp."
Oregon Health Plan Defeated Humiliated - 80% to 20%
By Brett Brune, Staff Writer
Stateline.org
November 6, 2002
Voters in Oregon gave a resounding no to a proposed single-payer health insurance system Tuesday. But backers of universal health coverage vowed to try again in 2004.
Everyone seemed to agree that the universal healthcare concept is important, said Mark Lindgren, president of Health Care for All Oregon. But what critics called flawed and vague language in the proposal turned many people off, he said. Lindgren expected the final count of votes to show that 21 percent of the voters said yes to the plan.
THE GOVERNMENT
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