| Program | Cost | Conservative response |
|---|---|---|
| War in Iraq | $3 trillion | "No problem!" |
| Bush tax cuts for the rich | $3.9 trillion | "No problem!" |
| Bush bailouts | $9 - $24 trillion | "No problem!" |
| "Public option" health care | $1 trillion | "It's not revenue neutral!" |
| Single payer health care | Would save money, improve care | "It's socialism!" |
"The total value of the bailouts undertaken by the federal government in 2008 now exceeds the combined cost of every major war the United States has ever engaged in, according to a comparison of war costs calculated by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the value of the bailouts as calculated by Bloomberg News or Bianco Research" (2008) source
The bailouts were needed to recover from the crisis caused by reckless deregulation of banks and Wall Street.
A "health care bailout" is now needed to recover from the profiteering of the corrupt, under-regulated health care industry. But unlike the banking bailout, the health care bailout can save America money. Single-payer would lower costs, thanks to reduced overheads, simplified paperwork, less profiteering, and the ability of a government-run system to negotiate lower prices.
We already pay about 60% of health care costs through taxes ("Indeed, our tax-financed costs exceed total costs in every nation except Switzerland." source). But instead of getting the health care we deserve, our taxes fund the profits of private insurance companies. Don't allow Congress to funnel your tax dollars to corrupt corporate campaign donors. Demand single-payer health care and cut out the middleman.
Note 1: A weak "public option" would be no improvement at all, since it is likely to merely use taxes to fund private insurance companies, and since only single-payer (or a strong public option) will be able to control costs. Don't let Congress settle on a weak public option that gives only the illusion of health care reform.
Note 2: I am not suggesting socialized medicine here: health-care would still be privately delivered.
References
Paying for National Health Insurance -- and Not Getting It
Bailout Cost Exceeds All American Wars
Bailout Costs Could Reach $24 Trillion
Cost Of Bailout Hits $8.5 Trillion
Supply Side Tax Cuts Failed to Deliver Jobs and Growth Between 2001 and 2007
Tax Returns: A Comprehensive Assessment of the Bush Administration's Record on Cutting Taxes
PDA Articles about Healthcare
Physicians for a National Health Program
