Our Own Agenda :: Health Care

A YES! Take on What Americans Want

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by Sarah van Gelder

posted Aug 11, 2008

President Barack Obama faces huge challenges as he takes office. But he's got one asset that is rarely mentioned. Large majorities of Americans agree on some of the most important issues of the day, from health care to foreign policy. “Ten Policies for a Better America” shows an agenda a majority supports—whether we vote red, blue, or some other political color.
Hover over or click on each policy button to see the YES! Take on What Americans Want. [Buy or Print poster version below.] [Link to this agenda: image downloads to spread the word]


YES! MAGAZINE GRAPHIC, 2008. Illustrations by Brandon Laufenberg/istock Click on each policy button and scroll down to see respective poll citations.



		Offer all Americans the option of joining a single-payer national health insurance program, paid for with tax dollars. Break the drug companies’ monopoly and lower drug prices by allowing Americans to buy prescription drugs abroad.

73%
Believe our health care system is in crisis or has “major problems.”

64%
Believe the government should provide national health insurance coverage for all Americans, even if it would raise taxes.

55%
Favor one health insurance program covering all Americans, administered by the government, and paid for by taxpayers.

69%
Believe the government should make it easier to buy prescription drugs from other countries.

Sources

Index

Americans are desperate for a health care solution. Health insurance companies, drug companies, and others who are making mega-profits off the current system, are prepared to resist change. But if people can overcome the big money and power of special interests, we can get what all other countries of the developed world take for granted—universal health care.

	Health Care for All The support for single payer health care includes business owners, doctors, and yes, even Republicans. YES! Magazine #47, Purple America

	Health Care: It’s What Ails Us Doug Pibel and Sarah van Gelder explore how and why a health care revolution is possible. YES! Magazine #39, Health Care for All

	Health Care Options at a Glance If you want to see how other countries do it, check out this comparison chart. It shows just how much room there is for improvement here in the U.S. YES! Magazine #39, Health Care for All

	Principles of Real Solutions Sarah van Gelder illustrates the basics: Cover everyone :: De-link coverage from jobs :: Invest in prevention :: Reduce poverty and inequality YES! Magazine #39, Health Care for All

Health Care for All :: YES! Magazine Cover image, Issue 39

Americans know it's time to do more than patch up a flawed and over-priced system. YES! shows the way to Health Care for All.

SOURCES:

HEALTH CARE

73% BELIEVE OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS IN CRISIS OR HAS “MAJOR PROBLEMS.” ::
Gallup Poll. Nov. 11-14, 2007. N=1,014 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).
www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm

64% BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ALL AMERICANS, EVEN IF IT WOULD RAISE TAXES. ::
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. May 4-6, 2007. N=1,028 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm

55% FAVOR ONE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM COVERING ALL AMERICANS, ADMINISTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS ::
CBS News Poll. Sept. 14-16, 2007. N=706 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4 (for all adults).
www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm

69% BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO BUY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. ::
Associated Press-AOL News Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Dec. 19-21, 2006. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.
www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm

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Sarah van Gelder wrote this article as part of Purple America, the Fall 2008 issue of YES! Magazine. Research by Noah Grant. Sarah is executive editor and Noah is editorial assistant at YES! Magazine.



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