Arrested Development

Ralph Nadar wrote:Senator Dick Durbin said last week that the banks own Congress. That's true. But they don't come close to the hammerlock their brothers in the health insurance and drug companies have over the place. The drug companies and health insurance companies control every nook and cranny on the Hill. If you doubt it, look no further than the events of the past two weeks at the Senate Finance Committee.

Committee chair Senator Max Baucus called a full 28 witnesses for two hearings on health care reform. Senator Baucus called on the Business Roundtable. He called on the Heritage Foundation. He called on the lobby known as America's Health Insurance Plans. But not one of the 28 witnesses called by Baucus supported what the majority of the American people want. And what the majority of doctors, nurses and health economists want. Single payer, full Medicare for all, everybody in, nobody out, free choice of doctor and hospital health care.

And so, Single Payer Action decided to act. Last week, eight citizens - including three doctors - led by Single Payer Action - simply demanded that Baucus add a seat at the table for a single payer advocate. Instead of adding a seat at the table, Baucus called for the police. The eight were arrested, handcuffed, and charged with so-called "disruption of Congress."

The police left behind undisturbed the horde of corporate lobbyists accustomed to "the purchase of Congress." This week, two doctors, two nurses, and a citizen from Maine - inspired by the actions of the Baucus 8 - rose and simply demanded that Baucus add a single payer advocate to the witness list. Again, Baucus refused. And again, Baucus called for the police.

Now it's the Baucus 13. Single Payer Action will not rest until America gets what every other Western industrialized country has - universal, not-for-profit, health care - everybody in, nobody out. More efficient. And more humane.

Single Payer Action has gained widespread publicity - on National Public Radio, Democracy Now, in Politico, the Associated Press, and the National Journal. Opportunity is knocking. Now we must open the door.