Dennis Kucinich: “it is long past the time since this Congress should be passing legislation to create a universal single- payer system of…”

“it is long past the time since this Congress should be passing legislation to create a universal single- payer system of health care in the United States. This past week we saw General Motors cut $1 billion a year in health care expenses for 750,000 auto workers and retirees. People who have worked every day of their lives and made a contribution to this society are suddenly finding their health care benefits drastically reduced. Over 40 million Americans do not have health insurance. Millions more cannot afford to pay health insurance because they are finding premiums, co-pays, and deductibles rising. It is time that the government stepped in dramatically to create a single-payer system. It is time that we realize that health care is a basic right in our society. It is time that we saw that we are already paying for universal health care. We are not getting it. One out of every four dollars goes for the activities of the for-profit system, for corporate profits, advertising, marketing, the cost of paperwork, 20 to 30 percent. It is time that we stood up for the American people and for the health of our people and passed H.R. 676, a universal single-payer health care system. ____________________”