ACCORDING TO SPECTRUM,

SINGLE-PAYER MAY NOT PASS

EVEN WITH DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL

Just this morning, I got a link which you all should read:

Single-Payer May Not Pass Even With Democrats in Control

It lists 3 reasons -- (1) The cost, (2) The wariness of some unions, and (3) Cuomo's unwillingness to take risks.

The money figure -- $139 Billion -- in indeed formidable. But the article describes that cost as "just to establish the program" (implying that future costs might well be more), and a graphic is presented showing that $139 Billion virtually swallowing up the annual state budget (as if it would cost $139 Billion every year). The article's presentation so far, in my opinion, betrays its corporate slant, although it does concede that once implemented, the plan is expected to save taxpayers money, but finding the dollars for the initial startup could prove very challenging. The article does not mention how much money NYHA would save tax payers, which has been estimated in the billions. 

Granted, finding the start-up money will  be challenging, but that problem is not limitless; it is finite, which means it is possible to solve: Where there's a will, there's a way.

The wariness of some unions in endorsing NYHA is something we discussed in the previous post.  (If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to check it out). But I want to note here that the Spectrum camera shows the initial sponsor of the legislation, Gustavo Rivera, earnestly explaining that the latest version of the bill "is still being drafted. 'It's not ready yet,'"  It's hard to conceive that Rivera, the likely incoming Chair of the Senate Health Committee, would allow this bill to come to a vote if he thought it wouldn't pass. This is where the negotiations come in. We are going to find out that where there's a will, there's a way.

As for Cuomo, yes of course he's known to be cautious, but he is shown telling the Spectrum reporter that there would be a transition, there would be things he agreed with, things he disagreed with, "but one thing is for sure: we will make rapid, remarkable change."

How rapid? How remarkable? 

Well, here's my take on all this: The start-up cost, the union's reluctance, and Cuomo's caution -- each of these things will be brought up by members who in past years gladly got brownie points by voting for the bill, safe in the knowledge that with the conservative control of the Senate, it never would pass. But now that things are changed, these members will very likely remember the source of the money that got them elected -- much of it from corporate donors,  much in fact from the healthcare industry itself.  Indeed, the same can very likely be said of Cuomo himself. And his action, just as State lawmakers action, will depend on how much they see the electorate demanding it. 

That's where we come in, as activists, and as every day citizens. It's a call to action: We must work all the harder -- the feet of our lawmakers, and our Governor, must be held to the fire!

We must demonstrate  that for ALL our sakes, things can't go on the way they have been -- if for no other reason than its too wasteful of our treasure, not to mention our lives.  Let us raise up the general consciousness so  we can prove once again: 

IF WE HAVE THE WILL, THEY WILL FIND THE WAY.

Dio

PS: If you'd like to comment (and I encourage you to do so), click on the number of comments area, which will bring up a "comment rectangle" in which you can share your thoughts. Don't be afraid to teach me something! I'm learning all the time.