High noon for U.S. health care reform.
A growing popular movement besieges a health policy status quo near financial as well as moral bankruptcy. A single-payer, Canadian-style national health program would assure universal, egalitarian coverage; democratic, rather than corporate, control of key policy choices; financing based on ability to pay; and cost controls that spare needed care as well as health workers' standard of living. Despite a misinformation campaign (generously funded by insurance and pharmaceutical firms) that slanders the Canadian experience, most Americans favor a national health program. The public health community should fight for no less.
Center for National Health Program Studies, Cambridge Hospital, MA 02139.
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Woolhandler
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Himmelstein
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D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D009310:National Health Insurance, United States; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D014481:United States