single payer healthcare saves money, saves lives!
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SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE
Saves money, saves lives!
Dr Bill Honigman, [email protected]
• Full time ER physician Orange County over 30 years
• Board Certified Emergency Medicine• Long Time activist and volunteer for many
local and regional community groups• Campaign for a Healthy California, Steering
Committee Member, OC Region Co-coordinator
Savings to Employer GroupsCalif SB 921 April 2004
SINGLE PAYER: Saves money, saves lives!
• June 2009, City of Santa Monica studies savings under US HR 676, est. $6 million per year http://www.mckeown.net/Universal_Single-payer_Healthcare_-_Santa_Monica_Councilmember_Kevin_McKeown.html
• May 2011, Vermont legislature passes and governor signs Green Mountain Care, est. savings $500 million per year http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/healthcare/Hsiao%20Proposal%20-%20public.pdf
PHYSICIANS FOR A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
29 EAST MADISONSUITE 602CHICAGO, IL 60602TEL: (312) 782-6006
WWW.PNHP.ORG
The Uninsured
18,314 Adult Deaths Annually Due to Uninsurance
Financial Suffering Among the INSURED
or UNDERINSURED
MANDATE MODEL:Keeping Private Insurers
In Charge
“Mandate” Model for Reform
• Proposed by Richard Nixon in 1971 to block Edward Kennedy’s NHI proposal
“Mandate” Model for Reform
• Government uses its coercive power to make people buy private insurance.
The U.S. Trails Other Nations
Canada’s National Health Insurance Program“Medicare (for All)”
PHYSICIANS FOR A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
29 EAST MADISONSUITE 602CHICAGO, IL 60602
TEL: (312) 782-6006
WWW.PNHP.ORG
ACA vs. MFACovered California Medicare for All
How many Californians are covered?
The expansion of MediCal and private insurance will provide millions of Californians with insurance. However, it is estimated there will still be 3 to 4 million uninsured by 2019.
Guaranteed healthcare for all. Every Californian receives a single standard of quality care, including immigrants.
Is my health coverage continuous?
Complicated administrative structure. Depending on employment status and income, you can be forced to change insurance companies several times a year. Needless paperwork, and you may lose access to your current provider.
Even if you are unemployed, or lose or change your job, your health coverage goes with you.
ACA vs. MFACovered California Medicare for All
How is preventive care covered?
Prevention must be covered benefit at no cost. However, high copayments for follow-up treatments, labs, xrays are barriers to getting needed care.
By removing financial roadblocks, encourages preventive and follow-up care, reduces costs in over-utilized ER’s and spread of communicable diseases.
What are my out-of-pocket costs?
Annual costs could range from $2,250 for an individual earning just above federal poverty level, up to $13,000 for family at 4 times poverty level. Higher costs if don’t use in-network provider.
Uniform benefits. One level of comprehensive care, no matter what size of your wallet.
ACA vs. MFACovered California Medicare for All
How are locations of healthcare facilities determined?
Currently, facilities built in high-income, high-profit areas. Access will continue to be poor for poor and rural communities.
Significant cause of racial health disparities, MFA plans facilities built where needed. Access to care improves disparities and outcomes.
Can I choose my own healthcare provider?
Private insurers continue to determine what care is received, and which providers you can go to. Access to specialists only through gatekeepers.
Patients choose their own providers and all providers are assured fair payment.
ACA vs. MFACovered California Medicare for All
How is administrative overhead reduced?
Attempts to limit overhead spending by health insurance companies 15-20% from current 30%.
Minimizes administrative waste to public insurance levels, currently 3% under Medicare.
Every academic study for a Single Payer system concludes:• Everyone is covered• Quality is improved• Money is saved• Lives are saved
SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE
Saves money, saves lives!