Oklahomans for Universal Health Care

(Read co-founder of Oklahomans for Universal Health Care's Ron du Bois's letter on Moore and Canadian health here.)

Universal Health Care Action Network

MYTH: The U.S. Has the Best Health Care System in the World.

Physicians for a National Health Program

Seeking a Health Care Prescription for Oklahoma

Universal Health Care and the War on Drugs

Sign the online Petition for Oklahomans for Universal Health Care.

Meet the CoFounders of Oklahomans For Universal Health Care.

A "State of Deception," of course, characterized the holocaust era. Nazi scientists believed in eugenics though which a master race could be created. They believed that some races sere superior to others and that Jews were an Infectious virus that needed to be wiped out. They convinced themselves that genocide was necessary for humankind to be "healthy." These ideas, shared by the majority of the German lay public, were also shared by more than a few American scientists and lay citizens of that era.

HEALTH CARE DEBATE

With regards to the Nazi era, the lies and deceptions have been unmasked over time, yet German society, with few dissenters, was fervently delusional about them at the time. In the future, will not the remarkable exercise in ignorance, lies, and deception we call the "health care debate" be viewed as equally psychotic and deceptive?

As Winston Churchill said, "Americans will eventually get it right, but only after they have tried everything else" Sadly, as far as health care is concerned, "getting it right" is on hold. "Getting it right" will come when society:

• Sees that a seven-page document, like the Canada Health Act, is superior to the 2,000-plus pages of the wildly complicated House and Senate documents.

• Sees that everyone has health insurance without leaving out 20 million souls.

• See that paying for your neighbor's health care costs far less and contributes to the strength of the nation.

• Believes that paying for health care through public taxation (in the same way many social services are paid for) costs less.

• No long excludes health experts from nations with successful health care systems from participating in the debate.

• Understands that a "State of Deception" contributes to weakness, not strength.

• Sees health insurance to be a birthright, not something government forces you to buy.

• Understands the power of deception and propaganda over our lives and thinking.

By Ron Du Bois, co-founder of Oklahomans for Universal Health Care.

Many Oklahomans are concerned about the state of health care in Oklahoma and what to do about it. Conditions aren't too healthy. 20% of Oklahomans live without health insurance.

Oklahoma ranks no. 43 for employers who offer health care benefits, meaning close to half offer none at all. Some who do expect their employees to pay fees that are impossible to afford. It's felt here that universal health care is the best way to increase access to health care for all in Oklahoma and America. For ideas on what to do see a Wisconsin plan for universal health care.

Oklahomans for Universal Health Care is headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It participates with Universal Action Network (UHCAN), a nationwide network that promotes comprehensive health care for all through education, strategy development and advocacy.

• At least 18,000 Americans die each year from lack of health care coverage.
• 80% of Americans who lack health care coverage are families with one or more jobs.
• More than 50% of bankruptcies occur due to medical bills and half of those had private medical insurance at the time the illness/injury occurred.
• Of all nations, the U. S. spends the most on health care, 14.6% of GDP.
• At 60%, the U. S. has the highest rate of people who believe their health system should be reformed.
• The spiraling costs of health care are negatively impacting American businesses making it difficult to compete globally.

I urge you to cosponsor HR 676, The National Health Care Insurance Act, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers. I'm an active voter who is among the majority of Americans who want a national healthcare system, and I'll remember your position on this issue next Election Day.

Ron du Bois, Stillwater

Universal Health Care a Moral, Fiscal Priority

U.S. Health Care Quality Disproportionate to Cost

Our Health Care Disgrace

It is no surprise to hear that the U.S. health care system is in shambles. Health care costs are increasing faster than wages and nearly 47 million Americans - eight million of whom are chidren - are uninsured. Millions more are underinsured.

Oklahoma has 700,000 uninsured, including nearly one out of every three children. Yet, we continue to spend more on health care per person than any other country, including countries that provide health care coverage to their entire citizenry.

According to a new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, health spending last year was at least 24% higher than that of Luxembourg (the second highest spending country) and over 90% higher than countries considered global competitors. Our health care systme spending is not buying us superior health. Americans on average die at a younger age compared to the average age of death of comparable nations. Japan has the highest life expectancy.

The U.S. infant mortality rate is 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, while Japan and Sweden have rates below 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The obesity rate among adults in the U. S. is 30.6%, the highest rate of developed countries. This rate is nearly 21% higher than the rate of the second highest country, Mexico.

Nor does it buy us better health care or more resources. About 70% of deaths and health costs in the U. S. are attributable to chronic disease, which are largely preventable. Yet, only half of recommended preventive services are provided to adults. The U.S. has fewer practicing physicians and nurses per 1,000 people than comparable countries. Instead, our health care system is pushing millions of hardworking Americans into relentless financial constraints and sends thousands to early graves.

With a new Democratic Congress, the impetus for real health reform is now - we can afford to provide every American affordable health care that emphasizes prevention, while controlling costs and maintaining individuals' choice of doctors and plans.

CNBC VIEWERS SAY YES FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! CNBC, a cable business channel, asked viewers if they thought adoption of Universal Health Care would help USA businesses compete better globally.
Results were 73% yes, 27% no.

• THE FOUR BIG LIES ABOUT UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
  How messed up is America's health-care system? Consider the case of the Leavitts. Anne and her husband Dixie, both in their 70s, got frazzled trying to work their way through the maddening maze of George W's new prescription-drug program, which compels seniors to choose among 1,400 competing drug-insurance schemes offered by 80 corporations. more...

• Oklahoma Health Hikes Outstrip Wages
  Oklahomans' health insurance premiums increased 60 percent in the last six years, greatly outpacing a 13 percent increase in earnings, a health care advocacy group reported Monday. more...

• Americans, Including Oklahomans, Outsourcing Major Surgery! Is This What We Really Want?
  She's a rodeo barrel-racing champion who runs a 180-acre ranch in Oklahoma when she's not bouncing across back roads selling farms. Dodie Gilmore is a spry 60-year-old who loves the outdoors, but when she could no longer straddle her faithful horse, River, she knew it was time for a new hip. more...

Many Oklahomans face the growing problem of rising costs and failing quality in health care. Are you?

By responding with your Email here, we can help make the politicians face up to this important problem.

"Of all the forms of inequalities, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.