Forceful Republican opposition is a given. Democratic contenders for the presidency like Hillary Clinton, and their supporters like Paul Krugman, are expected to criticize Sanders’ plan. But the rest of us should commend Sanders for his courage to propose such a knowingly contentious plan and give him our support.
Sanders sees things as they should be, and proposes legislation that will take us there. Clinton, like Republicans, is interested in maintaining the status quo. She offers no proposals for putting our country in a better place. Bernie Sanders understands the healthcare industry’s primary responsibility is not to its customers but to its shareholders. Hillary Clinton understands this as well, but either is unwilling to fight the hard fight on behalf of all Americans, or is unduly obligated to Wall Street and the oligarchic healthcare system.
The Republican led Congress has continually tried to repeal Obamacare, but have not proposed recommendations or any alternative to make it better. Presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders single-payer plan, “Medicare for All,” builds on Obamacare, a plan initially proposed as a single-payer system that when enacted essentially caved into the interests of the healthcare insurance companies. Sanders believes that Obamacare has not gone far enough to provide affordable adequate healthcare for all. The “Medicare for All” act is a logical next step to make Obamacare better.
Sanders’ “Medicare for All” plan will guarantee healthcare services, including eye and dental care, for everyone regardless of whether they are rich or poor. With his plan, no longer will Americans have to choose between getting healthcare and putting food on the table, or have to declare bankruptcy because they cannot afford to pay their hospital bill. No longer will Americans need to depend on private sector healthcare insurers to cover the cost of their healthcare needs.
Moreover, Sanders’ plan will cut health care costs, lower prescription drug prices, put money back in consumers' pockets, create jobs, and address a major cause of income inequality.
According to President Obama, “. . . you're always looking at the bright, shiny object that people don't, haven't seen before. That's a disadvantage to her [Clinton]. Bernie is somebody who . . . has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless.”
Bernie Sanders, as in the view of Robert F Kennedy, sees things as they are and does not wonder why, but sees things that never were, asks why not, and then starts the process of getting there. Hillary Clinton sees things as they are and is only willing to make adjustments here and there without changing anything.
from National Nurses United on Vimeo.
© Copyright 2016 Horatio Green
