Please Support Sen. Bernie Sanders' Single-Payer Amendments

Targeting: The U.S. Senate

Started by: HEALTHCARE-NOW

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont introduced an amendment to the Senate leadership's health bill that would delete the bulk of that bill's language and substitute the wording of his single-payer, Medicare-for-All bill, S. 703. Under Senate rules, his amendment will go straight to the floor for debate. The vote could come very soon.

Sanders measure, known as Senate Amendment 2837, would create "a universal, single-payer health insurance system" that is federally funded but administered by the states. It was introduced with two co-sponsors, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois, although there are others such as Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, chair of the important Senate HELP committee, who are likely to vote for it.

Please urge your senators to vote "yes" on Senate Amendment 2837 as quickly as you can. The time factor is critical. The Congressional Switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.

Petition Text

Please support Sen. Sanders’ single-payer amendment

Dear Decision Maker,

I write to urge your support for Senator Bernie Sanders’ single-payer amendment (#2837) to the Senate Health Bill.

Single payer is a superior reform to the present House and Senate legislation in many ways:

* Single payer would provide universal and comprehensive coverage for all medically necessary services. Unamended, the present legislation in the Senate would leave 24 million uninsured and tens of millions more with skimpy coverage.

* Single payer allows patients free choice of doctor and hospital. The present Senate bill maintains the role of insurance companies that continue to deny care and restrict access to services.

* Single payer pays for itself by eliminating $400 billion in insurance company administrative waste and redirecting it to care. The Senate bill is expected to cost nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.

* Single payer establishes proven and effective cost-containing mechanisms to ensure that benefits are sustainable over the long run. The Senate bill lacks effective cost controls.

Sen. Sanders’ amendment presents a historic opportunity for members to register their support for single-payer national health insurance as the best way to solve the U.S. health care crisis.

While I recognize the urgency of enacting health care reform, it is important to remember that the purpose of reform is to ease the burden for all Americans. Only a single-payer health program can meet that test—both medically and economically. Sen. Sanders’ single-payer amendment deserves your vote.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

judith meskill clinton, NJ

Signed letter

Mar 03
Lisa York Cox Huntsville, AL

Signed letter

Mar 02
Maryanne Campbell Greenville, SC

Sent letter to Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham

Mar 01
jim schaefer otis, OR

Sent letter to Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley

Mar 01
Pakhit R. Pulaski, NY

Sent letter to Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand

Feb 28
Thomas Shelton Ringgold, GA

Signed letter

Feb 28
Alison Moski Durham, CT

Signed letter

Feb 25
rosemary rannes Salem, NH

Sent letter to Judd Gregg and Jeanne Shaheen

Feb 24
Paul Haider Chicago, IL

Sent letter to Dick Durbin and Roland Burris

Feb 20
Melissa Webber Kodak, TN

Sent letter to Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker

Feb 18

Sign the Petition

2,457 Signatures

Goal: 2,500

99%

This petition sends letters to an individual's specific elected officials based on their address. You must live in the U.S. to sign this petition.

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