The process by which cosponsors sign on bills again when they get reintroduced, however, is not seamless and automatic. So, even though US Rep. Sanford Bishop, for instance, cosponsored last year but not this year, could be a staff oversight.
Dean Baker of the Center for Economic Research and Policy conducted a study that found under HR 676, a family of three making $40,000 would spend around $1,900 a year on health coverage.
The average annual premium for families covered under an employee health plan in 2007 is $11,000, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
HR 676, or "The United States National Health Insurance Act," would establish a "Medicare for All Trust Fund" to ensure a constant stream of funding and an annual appropriation to make sure funding remains at the right level.
"A PERFECT STORM BREWING"
"We’ve never had this much support for single-payer," Segal told APN. "Labor and doctors are leading the movement. 14,000 doctors support the bill."
"I have real hope HR 676 will pass," Rece said. By expanding Medicare, "we’re all paying for ourselves. This is taking on the whole system at once." Rece, also an activist in the Peace Movement, brings universal health care petitions for people to sign everywhere she goes, educating people about single-payer in the process.
"We want to take Medicare as a starting point and tweak it and improve it," Segal said.
"The only way this country can provide comprehensive, universal health care is [through] HR 676," Valenti said.
In characterizing future debates lawmakers would have about providing universal coverage, Segal said it would "probably be Medicare for all versus hybrids," or plans that are not single-payer.
"I think we should push and see what happens," Valenti said. "It’s harder to undo something once it’s done."
"I think there is a perfect storm brewing," Segal added.
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Jonathan Springston is a Senior Staff Writer for Atlanta Progressive News. He may be reached at jonathan@atlantaprogressivenews.com
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