Senator Bernie Sanders Introduced Single-Payer Amendment- Will Get Floor Debate
"Yes" on Senate Amendment 2837
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont introduced an amendment to the Senate leadership's health bill that would delete the bulk of that bill's language and substitute the wording of his single-payer, Medicare-for-All bill, S. 703. Under Senate rules, his amendment will go straight to the floor for debate. The vote could come very soon.
Sanders measure, known as Senate Amendment 2837, would create "a universal, single-payer health insurance system" that is federally funded but administered by the states. It was introduced with two co-sponsors, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois, although there are others such as Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, chair of the important Senate HELP committee, who are likely to vote for it.
Please urge your senators to vote "yes" on Senate Amendment 2837 as quickly as you can. The time factor is critical.
Senator Amy Klobuchar: 202-224-3244
Senator Al Franken: 202-224-5641
While we will not achieve single payer this time around, it's significant (and historic) that we took it from a non-starter position to a place on the Senate floor. It seems like a small deal, but it is huge. The vote will also give us a chance to find out who is willing to stand up in the Senate for the only just, workable and cost-effective option: single payer.
Read a press release from Physicians for a National Health Program
Read Senator Sanders' Talking Points