– Arielle Levin Becker, The CT Mirror

As has become their custom, supporters of universal health care spent opening day of the legislative session at the Capitol wearing red “healthcare4every1” T-shirts and urging lawmakers to support alternatives to private health insurance.

Universal health care supporters on opening day

Last year, the effort was centered on SustiNet, a proposed state-run insurance plan. The proposal ran into opposition from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who raised concerns about its cost. A compromise passed that did not create a public insurance program, but supporters are now calling it a “building block” of reform.. . . .

Advocates for universal health care, coordinated by the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, this year have three main priorities: Expand the membership of the health insurance exchange board, which is developing a marketplace for insurance coverage under federal reform, to include consumers and small businesses. Ensure there are nonprofit health plan alternatives to private insurance plans. And establish a basic health program for residents whose incomes fall just above the limit for Medicaid once health reform rolls out in 2014. . . . .

The Malloy administration has signaled that it’s open to reconsidering the exchange board composition, but because the fiscal impact of the basic health program will be based in part on information that is not yet available, getting it passed this year could be a tougher job.

– by Naomi Shaiken

The family of Alfred Shaiken thanks the PAR Board for its wonderful November edition’s obit on him. We also thank all those who made donations to CTCTA in his honor.

This month is the first time I shall be writing my column without my editor as my proof reader.

Connecticut is the richest state in the Union; yet, with over three million inhabitants, we have more than 10% who are either underinsured or have no health insurance. All of our 30 non-profit hospitals are under stress, caring for people in their emergency rooms.

Many are children, whose parents may be working in jobs that do not provide health insurance or who have to share the cost of what is offered to them by their employers and cannot afford to do so since their wages are inadequate.

The CT Department of Social Services has dramatically cut back on what it used to provide to children, adults, the disabled, and needy senior citizens. If the state would raise its income tax level, we would not be in this situation.

A growing number of our residents are becoming “Snow Birds” and winter in Florida, which has no state income tax. By staying in Florida six months PLUS ONE DAY, they no longer have to pay Connecticut income tax. Many maintain a Connecticut residence, but are no longer on our income tax or voting ledgers.

How do we get a State Universal Health Care for All? “It’s the insurance companies and their lobbyists, stupid!!” For more information, e-mail alneshaiken@snet.net.

– By Naomi Shaiken, CT Call to Action

This summer has been a busy one, both in Connecticut and nationally.  In Connecticut, the Sustinet bill is awaiting further approval from our state legislature and governor.  It has no price tag on it, nor has it fully disclosed who would be eligible and how they would sign up for it.  Much needs to be done before we can call it a health care bill that would cover the over 350,000 people, including children, who have no health insurance or are underinsured.  We are waiting final action before we can say Connecticut offers Health Care For Everyone.

At the federal level we have no bill, just lots of fighting, arguing, and open hostility at every meeting across the country.  Most unfortunate is that no Connecticut  Congressperson has signed on to any plan, except for Joe Lieberman, who has said he is totally against expanding Medicare and against any national health care plan.

Cooperative Health Care plans exist in several states but are not covered by any federal funds.  They are funded by individuals, including small businesses. They are not public plans; they are covered by some insurance companies and individuals who sign up at lower prices.  They are run by Boards of Directors consisting of members, doctors, nurses, hospitals, and insurance companies.  They are considered integrated care and run on purchasing pools, set by their individual Boards of Directors.

We seem to have lost sight of our push for Medicare for All. Many people have been intimidated with the raucous meetings that have been held across the country during this past month. Most meetings have been uncivilized, calling healthcare legislation socialized medicine, totally forgetting that we already have socialized medicine covering American Indian Tribes, our VA Medical Centers, Medicare and Medicaid.  Question: do you consider what these groups receive to be Socialized Medical Care?  Please email your responses to: alneshaiken@snet.net.

A majority want a national health plan, Medicare For All.  We need to hear from everyone in the state, to build pressure at the local, state and federal levels to get a comprehensive plan that covers everyone.