Congressman Ryan hides after trying to attack Medicare in San Francisco

Congressman Paul Ryan Came to San Francisco to Attack Medicare and Social Security, but Went Into Hiding. Keep the Campaign for Healthcare Strong. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) came to SF on May 24 to raise funds for his attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Gay Marriage. He is the point person for the 1% attacks on our social investments. He was scheduled to speak at the GAP headquarters, but the GAP told him to move his fundraiser after massive outrage by the gay and healthcare communities. He then cancelled his fundraiser at the GAP. Activists from the California Alliance for Retired Americans, Gray Panthers, and Single Payer Now held a press conference at the GAP headquarters to denounce his attacks. We got coverage in both the San Francisco Chronicle and on KPFA radio. See picture of press conference and more on Ryan's program below. We hope you can make a financial contribution to keep the campaign for Medicare for All strong. To make a contribution, click here. Or you can send a contribution to: Single Payer Now PO Box 460622 San Francisco, CA 94146 Thank you, Don Bechler Chair - Single Payer Now 415-695-7891 Cell 415-810-5826 On March 21, 2012, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his GOP budget proposal (he calls it his "Path to Prosperity") for 2012 that would make deep, lasting cuts to many domestic programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, nutrition and housing programs.This proposal passed the House and is headed to the Senate, where we must defeat it. Ryan is in San Francisco today, May 24th to raise money for his proposal and for the Republicans. Ryan Plans to Cut Medicare As We Know It Most alarming are the proposals to end Medicare as we know it by replacing Medicare's guaranteed benefits with a "voucher" that beneficiaries would use towards the cost of private insurance or traditional Medicare. The voucher would be based on the second cheapest plan in the area. The voucher is unlikely to cover premium costs, out of pocket costs and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that beneficiaries would pay more than $1200 a year in by 2030 and $5900 by 2050 under this proposal. His plan also proposes to raise the eligibility age to receive Medicare to 67. Ryan's Plan to Gut Medicaid Ryans' plan proposes to block grant Medicaid (MediCAL) shifting costs onto already cash-strapped states by forcing them to provide funding or cut Medicaid benefits as costs increase. This would be especially devastating to older Americans and their families, as Medicaid is currently the provider of long term care coverage for seniors. Ryan's Plan to Privatize and Cut Social Security Under the Ryan Roadmap, Americans aged 55 and younger would be "allowed" to invest 1/3 of their Social Security contribution into a private account - a first step toward privatizing the entire program. He wants to tie future Social Security benefits to growth in prices, rather than the defined benefit it has been. And he is opposed to the best solution to secure Social Security for the future - by lifting the current cap on taxable income (right now, any income over $110,000 per year is not taxed) which would make Social Security solvent for the rest of the century.

Single Payer Now survives on the generosity of our supporters. Please consider making a donation. www.SinglePayerNow.net | 415-695-7891 | dbechler@value.net

Press conference in SF for Paul Ryan - BE THERE!

Press Conference Congressman Paul Ryan Comes to SF to Attack Medicare and Social Security, but Goes Into Hiding. Thurs. 7:30AM May 24 2 Folsom St in SF 2 Blocks from the Embarcadero Please join with activists from the California Alliance for Retired Americans, Gray Panthers, and Single Payer Now to protect Medicare and Social Security. Congressman Paul Ryan had a scheduled 8am fundraiser at the GAP headquarter, but cancelled after the GAP gave him the boot from using their office. Ryan is the point person for the 1% attacks on our social investments. The new location of the fund raiser is now a secret. See more text below. We will have banners that read Ryan: Don't Privatize our Future California Says No to the Ryan Budget Hands off Social Security and Medicare And signs that say Medicare Yes Insurance Companies No. Please let us know if you can attend. We also need phone tree callers to build the protest. And we encourage you to forward this alert. ___ I plan to attend the press conference on Thursday morning. ___ I have forwarded this alert. ___ I can call our phone tree for turnout. I will send you a suggested script and local names to call. Thank you, Don Bechler Chair - Single Payer Now 415-695-7891 Cell 415-810-5826 On March 21, 2012, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his GOP budget proposal (he calls it his "Path to Prosperity") for 2012 that would make deep, lasting cuts to many domestic programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, nutrition and housing programs.This proposal passed the House and is headed to the Senate, where we must defeat it. Ryan is in San Francisco today, May 24th to raise money for his proposal and for the Republicans. Ryan Plans to Cut Medicare As We Know It Most alarming are the proposals to end Medicare as we know it by replacing Medicare's guaranteed benefits with a "voucher" that beneficiaries would use towards the cost of private insurance or traditional Medicare. The voucher would be based on the second cheapest plan in the area. The voucher is unlikely to cover premium costs, out of pocket costs and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that beneficiaries would pay more than $1200 a year in by 2030 and $5900 by 2050 under this proposal. His plan also proposes to raise the eligibility age to receive Medicare to 67. Ryan's Plan to Gut Medicaid Ryans' plan proposes to block grant Medicaid (MediCAL) shifting costs onto already cash-strapped states by forcing them to provide funding or cut Medicaid benefits as costs increase. This would be especially devastating to older Americans and their families, as Medicaid is currently the provider of long term care coverage for seniors. Ryan's Plan to Privatize and Cut Social Security Under the Ryan Roadmap, Americans aged 55 and younger would be "allowed" to invest 1/3 of their Social Security contribution into a private account - a first step toward privatizing the entire program. He wants to tie future Social Security benefits to growth in prices, rather than the defined benefit it has been. And he is opposed to the best solution to secure Social Security for the future - by lifting the current cap on taxable income (right now, any income over $110,000 per year is not taxed) which would make Social Security solvent for the rest of the century.

Single Payer Now survives on the generosity of our supporters. Please consider making a donation. www.SinglePayerNow.net | 415-695-7891 | dbechler@value.net

Fwd: May 1 - A Day Without the 99%

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For more than 120 years, May 1 has been celebrated internationally as a day to honor workers and commemorate the suffering they have endured - and continue to endure - in their struggles for equity for all in the workplace. Building on the history of May Day, the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement is calling for a Day Without the 99% by students, workers, and immigrants on Tuesday, May 1 to highlight economic injustice and corporate domination. Already, over 115 cities will be participating in this historic event. Healthcare-NOW! encourages our members and supporters to participate in a May Day action organized by their local Occupy, and to bring with them the message of improved Medicare-for-all as the solution to the crisis in inequality in wealth and health. Go here to find out about May Day events in your area. Be sure to visit Healthcare-NOW!'s resources page for petitions and handouts you can download and bring with you, and send us any pictures or videos of your events at info@healthcare-now.org. Some of the May Day actions include: Healthcare-NOW! - New York City is kicking off their 100x100 Petition Drive for New York State's universal, single-payer healthcare bill May 1. Learn more and pick up materials at Union Square (on the steps at the South End) from 12n - 5:30pm. Occupy LA East Wind, in collaboration with Labor United for Universal Healthcare, Single Payer Now, and others, will be holding a giant puppet show featuring the Working Family Vs. Greedy Insurance Giant at 1pm to speak out against the broken healthcare system. Go here for more info or contact Lisa Patrick-Mudd at lpmudd@gmail.com. At a time in our country when 50 million people are uninsured and millions more remain underinsured, unemployment is at its highest level in more than 30 years, and student loan debt has reached a crippling one trillion dollars, this coming May Day occurs while the disparity between the privileges of the top 1% and the hardships of the rest of the 99% have been boldly illuminated by the efforts of OWS. Please join with thousands of Healthcare-NOW! members and occupiers to show the world a May 1 without the 99%. In solidarity for single-payer, Francesca and Jeff Healthcare-NOW! National Staff
Healthcare-NOW! survives on the generosity of our supporters. Please consider making a donation or joining Healthcare-NOW! to support our efforts on our secure server. - Follow us on -   Healthcare-NOW! - 800-453-1305 - 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Fwd: SF April 21 - 9:30 to 11am build SB SB 810 healthcare campaign

Help Build the Campaign

For Single Payer Healthcare

Collect Postcards With Us in SF

Sat. 9:30 to 11am at Dolores Park April 21

 

Dear Healthcare Activist,

 

This Saturday, April 21, we will collect postcards at the assembly area for the Cesar Chavez parade.  We will be on the sidewalk on Dolores between 18^th and 19^th streets from 9:30 to 11am.

 

We collect postcards that ask Governor Brown to support the California Universal Healthcare Act (SB 810).  SB 810 will be reintroduced next January. 

Collecting postcards is a wonderful way to engage people in a discussion about single payer.  We add these people to our action alert and deliver these cards to legislators in Sacramento. 

Build a massive action alert list is crucial to winning single payer healthcare.   We need to be able to communicate with millions of Californians as needed.  We simply cannot rely on the corporate media to help us rid ourselves of the corporate insurance industry.

 

Yesterday, April 18, Steph Feiring, Alice Lindstrom Davis, Donald Nemeyer, and myself had conversations with 93 activists who signed SB 810 postcards at the SEIU 1021 contract rally.  These new postcards will push our action alert list past 20,000.

 

Please let us know if you can help us this Saturday.

We encourage you to forward this alert.

 

___ I can help collect postcards Sat. April 21 at Dolores Park in SF..

___ I have forwarded this alert.

 

Thank you.

Don Bechler

Chair-Single Payer Now

415-695-7891

Cell 415-810-5826

…This from Dennis Kucinich / GO DENNIS!

Click here to view this email in your browser Share this email: Press Release April 16, 2012 For Immediate Release Nathan.White@mail.house.gov (202)225-5871 Nearly $200 Billion in Savings if Minnesotans Demand Single-Payer Solution for Families, Businesses Constitutional Approach Cuts Costs, Provides Universal Coverage Washington D.C. (April 16, 2012) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), coauthor of H.R. 676, Medicare for All, today released the following statement highlighting a report by respected health care analytical group, The Lewin Group, showing the State of Minnesota would save $189.5 billion over ten years by providing universal, single-payer health care for all residents. "Single-payer health care is inevitable in the U.S. and the states are the first to recognize it.  Single-payer would cover all residents, reduce costs, increase the quality of care, lower costs to businesses, lower costs to families, increase worker pay, and relieve the state governments of enormous financial burdens that come with our health care system," said Kucinich. "Regardless of the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act, health care costs continue to rise, jeopardizing budgets and preventing people from getting the health care they need. Single-payer is the only solution that is obviously constitutional and can meet our nation's needs." The report from The Lewin Group showed that enacting a single-payer system in Minnesota would reduce health spending for the State by $4.1 billion (8.8%) in 2014. State and local governments would save an addition $35.7 million. Employers would save $1,214 per worker ("for employers offering health insurance coverage prior to the ACA"). Families would save an average $1,362 and the statewide savings would be $189.5 billion between 2014 and 2023. "Insurance companies make money by NOT providing health care," said Kucinich. "Americans are now mandated to pay massive subsidies to bail out the for-profit health insurance industry.  "One out of every three of our health care dollars goes to activities OTHER than providing care, like a massive lobbying effort to protect their profits.  Your total comes to 900 billion dollars every year.  "We have been mandating that the American people pay this much more for health care because Congress and the President have refused for decades to take on health insurance companies. This report is a wake up call for states, businesses and families struggling to deal with the rising costs of health care. Congressman Kucinich introduced an amendment to the Affordable Care Act in 2009 in the Education and Labor Committee. The amendment, passed on a bipartisan vote but stripped from the bill, would have helped states pursue single-payer if that is what their residents wanted. Fourteen studies by expert health care consulting firms have modeled the expected financial results if a state enacted a single-payer health care system to cover its residents.              State Annual Single-payer Savings Year New Mexico1 $151,800,000 1994 Delaware2 $229,000,000 1995 Minnesota1 $718,000,000 1995 Massachusetts3 $1,800,000,000 - $3,600,000,000 1998 Maryland1 $345,000,000 2000 Vermont1 $118,000,000 2001 California1 $7,500,000,000 2002 Maine4 $0 2002 Rhode Island5 $270,000,000 2002 Missouri6 $1,700,000,000 2003 Georgia1 $716,000,000 2004 California1 $8,000,000,000 2005 Colorado1 $1,400,000,000 2007 Kansas1 $869,000,000 2007 Minnesota1 $19,000,000,000 2012             1.         Lewin Group 2.         Solutions for Progress 3.         Lewin Group, Solutions for Progress/Boston University School of Public Health 4.         Mathemetica Policy 5.         Solutions for Progress/Boston University School of Public Health 6.         Missouri Foundation for Health Fourteen of the fifteen studies showed very significant savings in health care costs while at the same time insuring everyone. Maine was the exception, showing no increase/decrease in state health spending under single-payer but providing health care to an additional 150,000 residents.   ### Lakewood Office | 14400 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 | Phone (216) 228-8850 | Fax (216) 228-6465 Parmatown Mall | 7904 Day Drive, Parma, Ohio 44129 | Phone (440) 845-2707 | Fax (440) 845-2743 Washington Office | 2445 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 | Phone (202) 225-5871 | Fax (202) 225-5745

CONTACT US

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SF,CA April 18 & 21 - Help needed collecting SB 810 postcards

From SinglePayerNOW:

2 Opportunities

To Help Build the Campaign

For Single Payer Healthcare

Collect Postcards With Us in SF

Wed. 3:45 to 7pm at Civic Center April 18

Sat. 9:30 to 11am at Dolores Park April 21

 

 

I hope you can help us win more people to the campaign for SB 810 this week in San Francisco. 

This Wednesday, April 18, we will collect postcards for SB 810 at the Service Employees International Union rally at Civic Center.  SEIU 1021 is negotiating with the City of San Francisco.  SEIU has recently formed a single payer healthcare committee in its union. 

We will have a small table and my cell is 415-810-5826.

 

Next Saturday, April 21, we will collect cards at the assembly area for the Cesar Chavez parade.  We will be on the sidewalk on Dolores between 18^th and 19^th streets from 9:30 to 11am.

 

We collect postcards that ask Governor Brown to support the California Universal Healthcare Act (SB 810).  SB 810 will be reintroduced next January. 

Collecting postcards is a wonderful way to engage people in a discussion about single payer.  We add these people to our action alert and deliver these cards to legislators in Sacramento. 

Build a massive action alert list is crucial to winning single payer healthcare.   We need to be able to communicate with millions of Californians as needed.  We simply cannot rely on the corporate media to help us rid ourselves of the corporate insurance industry.

 

Please let us know if you can help us this Wednesday or next Saturday.

We encourage you to forward this alert.

 

___ I can help collect postcards Wed. April 18 at Civic Center in SF.

___ I can help collect postcards Sat. April 21 at Dolores Park in SF..

___ I have forwarded this alert.

 

Thank you.

Don Bechler

Chair-Single Payer Now

415-695-7891

Cell 415-810-5826

Is Single-Payer Inevitable? READ THIS NOW

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With your support we can push improved Medicare-for-all beyond talk and make it a reality. You may have seen dozens of articles and news clips claiming that if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act in June, Democrats will have no choice but to turn to single-payer as the necessary alternative to healthcare reform. "It's inevitable," they say. It thrills us to see single-payer in the limelight, but claiming that single-payer is inevitable should the ACA go down misses a central component: you. Your hard work lifted single-payer, improved Medicare-for-all, to the widespread consciousness we're now seeing. With your support we can push improved Medicare-for-all beyond talk and make it a reality. No matter how the Supreme Court rules in June, we need to make sure single-payer healthcare remains a visible option for reform. If the ACA is dismantled, the Democrats could, after all, decide to do nothing. Let's not let that happen. Help Healthcare-NOW! continue marching, educating, and protesting for a single-payer system. Political pundits are talking about single-payer because we have never stopped filling their inboxes and waiting rooms with the voices of the under- and uninsured. Help us remind Congress and the President that there's an alternative to the private health insurance companies that create so much waste and suffering. That Medicare-for-all is getting so much attention in the wake of the Supreme Court hearings on the ACA is a sign that our efforts so far are working. Donate on our secure website today and get a Healthcare-NOW! sticker and pin, a Martin Luther King, Jr. poster, a copy of The Healthcare Movie on DVD, or a Single Payer Now t-shirt. Donate online, send a check to Healthcare-NOW!, 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, or call 800-453-1305. In solidarity for single-payer, Healthcare-NOW! National Staff and Steering Committee Sources: - Reich, R. (2012, March 26) Healthcare Jujitsu. - Rothman, N. (2012, March 29) Chris Matthews, Ezra Klein Identify Strategy To Impose 'De Facto Single Payer System.' - Commonwealth Fund, The. (2011, Sept. 23) New Study: U.S. Ranks Last Among High-Income Nations on Preventable Deaths, Lagging Behind as Others Improve More Rapidly. - Cunningham, P.W. (2011, July 28) Health care law won't rein in costs, study says. The Washington Times.
Healthcare-NOW! survives on the generosity of our supporters. Please consider making a donation or joining Healthcare-NOW! to support our efforts on our secure server. - Follow us on - Healthcare-NOW! - 800-453-1305 - 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

...We at SinglePayerCentral say re the above 'AMEN'!