Intro.

Will Medicare Survive?

President Obama released a budget that both reduces Social Security benefits and shifts healthcare costs onto seniors enrolled in Medicare.

This proposed budget includes a "chained CPI" for Social Security which Sen. Elizabeth Warren called, "just a fancy way to say 'cut benefits for seniors, the permanently disabled, and orphans.'" Additionally, his budget includes $400 billion in Medicare cuts and additional means testing.

This is unacceptable. Thankfully, 107 House members signed a letter to Obama saying: "We write to affirm our vigorous opposition to cutting Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits in any final bill to replace sequestration."

Please go here to thank the "Medicare 107" and encourage them to stand strong on their commitment.

Marilyn

Healthcare-NOW! Mourns the Loss of Our Founder and National Coordinator, Marilyn Clement

The entire Healthcare-NOW community mourns the loss of Marilyn Clement, Healthcare-NOW!’s Founder and National Coordinator, who died Monday, August 3, 2009.

A passionate and untiring advocate for social justice, her leadership in the movement to make healthcare a human right inspired us all.

A detailed statement about her life and work can be found here. A memorial for Marilyn will be on Saturday, October 17th at 1:00 pm at Judson Church at 55 Washington Square Park South in New York City.

See Marilyn's last speech at an event in her honor here.

Win-Win

Win-Win Campaign

We want YOU for a new campaign targeting local government entities–-cities, towns, counties, school boards-–in an effort to get them to endorse HR 676. Our hook is big money savings in a time of fiscal crisis for governments.

In a nutshell, the employer payroll tax that will be required for health coverage under HR 676 is considerably less (usually one-third to one-half) of what government entities now pay in health insurance premiums for their workers. HR 676 will mean savings for public employees, too.

We welcome everyone’s help. If you live in a big city with a progressive mayor who might quickly see the light and sign on to HR 676, we especially hope you will sign up. Visit our Win-Win Campaign Page for more information.

HR 676?

HR 676: One Plan, One Nation

The United States National Health Care Act (HR 676) establishes a unique American national universal health insurance program. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered healthcare system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all US residents, and all residents living in US territories.

With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under-insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly non-healthcare system.

Find out more on our HR 676 Page.

Single-Payer?

What is Single-Payer?

Single-payer is a term used to describe a type of financing system. It refers to one entity acting as administrator, or “payer.” In the case of healthcare, a single-payer system would be setup such that one entity—a government run organization—would collect all healthcare fees, and pay out all healthcare costs.

In a single-payer system, all hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers would bill one entity for their services. This alone reduces administrative waste greatly, and saves money, which can be used to provide care and insurance to those who currently don’t have it.

Find out more on our Single-Payer Page.

Take Action

Take Action!

We Need You

Healthcare-NOW! is always looking for volunteers and organizers who are committed to passing national, single-payer legislation in the US. As a national organization, we are connected to over 400 activists in all fifty states. Join us!

In the past, we have organized nationwide protests, vigils, teach-ins, and road shows that have garnered national attention.

Find out more on our Take Action Page. There, you'll find ten things you can do right now to support single-payer healthcare and ways to contact us.

Endorsements

HR 676 Endorsements

Over 465 Unions and Counting!

Rep. John Conyers, who introduced HR 676, has said that a national, single-payer healthcare bill will not be passed without a strong, nation-wide movement behind it. Healthcare-NOW is helping to creat this national movement.

HR 676 has been endorsed by over 20 medical organizations, six faith organizations, over 45 municipalities, and over 465 unions.

If your union or organization has passed a resolution in support of HR 676, visit our Contact Page and fill out the contact form.