[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 9 (Monday, January 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         ON THE DOORSTEP OF PROMISING HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENTS

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 24, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, when talking to non-partisan health care 
financing experts about the ideal health care system, their preference 
is clear: they usually agree that a single-payer system that prevents 
the health insurance companies from getting between you and your doctor 
is the way to go. But they usually follow up with a caveat--the health 
insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry are too powerful to 
allow it to happen: it is not politically feasible.
  I am thrilled to say that argument is now a relic. On January 19, 
Harvard economist William Hsiao released a report that examined three 
health care systems for Vermont, whose new governor campaigned on a 
single-payer platform. The report found that a true single payer system 
would save Vermont 8-12 percent off their health care spending upon 
implementation and another 12-14 percent as the system gets up and 
running. The result is that 5000 new jobs will be created because of 
the burden lifted off of businesses. And it would cover every 
Vermonter.
  An article by VTDigger.org announced that ``Even the private 
insurance companies, many of whose policy-holders would presumably be 
diverted to the new `single pipe' which would channel all payments to 
doctors and hospitals through set rates for procedures cautiously 
welcomed Hsiao's proposal.''
  We are at the doorstep of one of the most promising developments in 
health care of our time.

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