Items of Interest April 9, 2012 Issue

Death of single-payer health plan inspires change of thought

This article originally appeared on HealthyCal.org

California’s so-called “Medicare for all” bill has died. Originally introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl as SB 840 in 2005, vetoed twice by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006 and 2008, and twice resurrected by Senator Mark Leno as SB 810 in 2009 and 2011, the fight for a homegrown single-payer health-care system appears to be over.

This is devastating news for those who have fought so long and so hard for something they feel certain could improve the lives of millions. However, despite this outcome, the goal of providing health care that is not only affordable but also effective and readily accessible remains a priority. Whether this goal is achieved through legislation or by some other means remains to be seen.

For most, waiting around for the legislature is not an option. Perhaps that’s why so many feel compelled to take matters into their own hands, constantly on the lookout for better, more reliable ways to stay healthy. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of us gather this kind of information from the Internet—everything from drug safety and medical test results to chronic pain management and end-of-life decisions.

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Death of single-payer health plan inspires change of thought

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