(There are so many issues coming of the lege. We should not forget this one. [ Editted for front page ] - promoted by lightseeker)
In March I wrote a post on BOR titled Universal Health Care Top National Priority; Still Waiting for Leadership from Texas Legislators", in which I said, "I am still waiting for one of the Democrats serving in the Texas Legislature to propose a comprehensive health care plan, along the lines of the one approved last year by the California legislature (and then vetoed by the Governor) or the one currently being implemented in Massachusetts."
As you may have noticed, the wait is over and we now have a leader in the Texas Legislature who has proposed a single payer system of universal health care for Texas. Senator Shapleigh held a press conference Monday on his SB 1911. The caption of the bill reads "relating to universal health coverage for Texans." He says he modeled his proposal on the one passed by the legislature in California only to be vetoed by the governor of California. |
The El Paso Times reported:El Paso has more uninsured people than any American city its size, and the time has come for Texas to provide universal health care, said state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh at a news conference Monday.
"When I go to my district, this is the number one issue middle class Texans ask me about, 'What am I going to do to maintain my health insurance?'" Shapleigh, D-El Paso, said.
Shapleigh has proposed a bill that would create a single payer system that would use a private delivery system to provide health care. The savings from reduced administrative costs will pay for those individuals that are uninsured, Shapleigh said.
Video of the press conference is here
In the video, Shapleigh is the only legislator visible and I am guessing he was the only one at the press conference. Where were all the other Democrats? I did see coverage on KVUE of a rally at the capitol last Sunday for universal health care where State Rep. Naishtat was interviewed saying, "I support them and everything they're doing." The reporter says that Naishtat told her that "a senate bill, proposing universal health coverage, is not likely to pass... But it should".
Health care is going to be probably the second most important issue in the 2008 elections, after Iraq. The TDP platform in 2008 should clearly endorse universal, single-payer health insurance as proposed by Shapleigh. If the state party makes such an endorsement in the 2008 platform, then maybe the Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee will make it the centerpiece of the campaign in 2010. Then in 2011, we could begin creating a system of universal, single-payer health care in Texas. |
