By: Dr. Deb Richter
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced his single payer amendment on the floor of the Senate yesterday. Here is his news report and a link to the amendment.
This would have replaced the current health care bill with a single payer universal health care system for the entire nation. It would have been the first time single payer legislation was debated on the floor of the Senate. Republicans obstructed this effort by insisting that the entire 700 page bill be read before discussion could begin. As a result Senator Sanders withdrew the amendment. His response to this outrage was a brilliantly articulated speech about why we need a single payer system. I encourage you all to listen to it. We can be proud to have Bernie Sanders as our Senator. Let us now be inspired to work to get single payer legislation passed in the state of Vermont.
But why did Sanders give up so easily? It would have been much better if he would have called the Republicans’ bluff and let the entire bill be read so there could be a vote. Instead, in the name of saving 8 hours of Senate time, Sanders bowed to the Democratic leadership and killed what he himself was calling an “historic vote.”
Sorry, but it’s this kind of caving and quitting that keeps us in the mess we’re in. Pulling the bill to “save time” and move onto yet another Defense appropriation bill was, indeed, “an outrage.”
Yes, congratulate Bernie for introducing the single-payer bill. But we must also demand that he not quit so easily next time. We deserved the vote at the very least.
But, we can carry on what Bernie started by supporting single payer right here in Vermont. The Vermont House and Senate Health Care committees will hold joint hearings on Vermont’s two single payer bills, H100 and S88, on January 12th from 6 to 9 PM at the capitol building in Montpelier. We don’t have to be spectators, but can help carry on this fight ourselves, by working for single payer right here in our state. A good turnout at these hearings will help establish public support.
Right on, Ellen. Let’s get it done here in Vermont!