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U.S. gender wage gap grows for the first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

5,000 Doctors' Prescription for Health Care: Medicare for All

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Thursday, October 9, 2008   

While Senators McCain and Obama debate health policy across the nation, more than 5,000 physicians say neither candidate's prescriptions for healthcare reform would work. The group, Physicians for a National Health Program, says the only hope for a cure is to create a nonprofit, single-payer national health insurance system.

In a letter published this week in the New Yorker and The Nation magazines, the doctors state that private insurance drives up costs, wastes resources, and denies medical care to millions of Americans. That group includes Dr. Brummel-Smith with Florida State University.

"Not having insurance is bad for your health. People who don't have insurance die at much higher rates from treatable problems, like breast cancer and heart attacks and other conditions. Every other developed country in the world has a good national health insurance program, except for us."

Nearly 46 million Americans are reportedly uninsured, and many more are under-insured. Dr. Greg Silver, who also signed the letter, says the proposed health plan would free doctors to care for patients instead of fighting with insurance companies.

"The incentives for the insurance companies are diametrically opposed to my interest and my patients' interests, which is better healthcare and ultimately, better health. Their incentive is to provide the least service they can, so they can maximize their profit."

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees in Florida (AFSCME), representing 110,000 government workers, also favors universal coverage. Spokesperson Doug Martin says that support comes even though the union already provides health insurance to its members.

"Our leaders need to step up and have courage and find the revenue to provide for the citizens of the state. They swore an oath and they need to uphold that oath."

The doctors' group supports a bill before Congress that would guarantee coverage, much like Medicare, and is predicted to save $300 billion a year in administrative costs. Opponents believe the private insurance system still provides better care for patients than a government-run program like Medicare.





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