Reply #7: BRIEF SUMMARY"H.R. 676"The U.S. National Health Insurance Act [View All]

http://www.healthcare-now.org/

BRIEF SUMMARY"H.R. 676"The U.S. National Health Insurance Act


Introduced by John Conyers, Jr., (D-Michigan) with 75 co-sponsors (as of 8/11/06)

� Establishes an American-styled national health insurance program that would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care program that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it for all U.S. residents. This legislation is an example of a "single-payer" system, referring to the government, instead of multiple insurance companies and you, paying the health care bills. The providers remain private and we choose who to go to.


� With close to 46 million uninsured and more than that underinsured, it is time to change our inefficient, costly, and fragmented health care system. An increasing number of Americans are paying more out-of-pocket or neglecting their health.


� According to Dean Baker of the Center for Economic Research and Policy, using 2005 figures, HR 676 would save $56 billion in overall health care spending while covering all of the uninsured. Administrative costs would be reduced from 20-30% under the current insurance company system, to 3%, under Medicare. The profit margin in paying for health care costs would be eliminated. The government would negotiate for lower drug prices from the pharmaceutical companies, further lowering costs.