Amendment would allow states to enact single payer health care

An amendment attached to a major federal health reform bill may clear the way for states to enact single-payer legislation. Ten state legislatures have introduced single-payer bills.

The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee approved an amendment to HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, a forerunner among health reform bills, on July 17 that would make it easier for states to enact single payer health programs at the state level. At least 10 states have active single payer efforts before their legislatures: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. The amendment, offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), grants states a waiver from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) which has in the past been used to prevent the expansion of state or local health care programs. The amendment would shield states’ single payer health care option from an ERISA-based legal attack. The amendment was approved by a vote of 27-19, with 14 Democrats and 13 Republicans voting yes. The committee also approved HR 3200 by a vote of 26-22. It is expected that the insurance industry will seek to have the amendment removed from HR 3200. The bill must pass out of two more House committees before going to the full floor. Said Kucinich in a written statement: “The state single payer option was one of five major amendments which I obtained support to get included in HR3200. One amendment brings into standard coverage for the first time complementary and alternative medicine, (integrative medicine). Another amendment drives down the cost of prescription drugs by ending pharmaceutical industry's sharp practices manipulating physician prescribing habits. An amendment stops the insurance industry from increasing premiums at the time when people are not permitted to change health plans; and finally an amendment imposing a requirement on insurance companies that they disclose the cost of advertising, marketing and executive compensation expenses (which generally divert money from patient care).” Kucinich has co-authored federal single-payer legislation with Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), HR 676, “Medicare for All,” to provide full health care coverage for every American. It would cover all medically necessary procedures, with no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles. This spring, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a single-payer bill, S 703, in the Senate as a fiscal savings measure. Supporters believe a single-payer system could be paid for by reallocating money that is currently in the system.