Let's keep an eye on this one...

Montana Governor Seeks Waiver to Establish Single-Payer
That's right, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer announced that he is planning to ask the federal government for a waiver in order to establish a single-payer plan. Though there is no actual proposal on the table yet (is this a true single-payer setup? how is it funded?) it is definitely heartening to see that this is being taken on in states that aren't overwhelmingly Democratic (Montana is typically considered a swing state; John McCain narrowly won in 2008). As medical costs keep ballooning in this economy and as healthcare spending keep rising as a measure of GDP (in spite of PPACA), it's only a matter of time before both red and blue states everywhere start entertaining single-payer as a real option.

To add to that...

Since we're kind of on the topic of rights and wrongs, here's an article on The Incidental Economist that just makes me terribly sad that this is what's allowed in our country.

Don't forget children

Carroll is right--this isn't about freedom or liberty for those members of society who simply don't have a choice.  Gives a terrifying new ring to "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Compassion is Out of Fashion - Krugman

A rather apt remark from Paul Krugman, as we realize that the sentiments expressed are becoming the terrifying new mantra of now-mainstream extremists. What am I talking about? I'm talking about the GOP debate Monday, more specifically the cheering of the question about whether an uninsured sick man should be left to die. It doesn't matter if you're left-leaning or right-leaning, I hope we can all agree that this is morally WRONG.

The next Republican debate will be held at Google Headquarters on September 22. Demand that each candidate is asked if they agree with the crowd at the last debate, that our society should let those without health insurance die. Here.

Addendum: Ron Paul's campaign manager died of pneumonia penniless and uninsured

Oral Health and General Health are Inseparable

Aside from the 50+ million medically uninsured in the US, almost a third of all Americans are without dental insurance. That's not too surprising, considering insurance is costly and seeing the dentist, quite frankly, is never a joyful experience. So when times are tough, "optional" or "fringe" health expenditures like dental and vision are the first to go.

It's a slippery slope. Without dental insurance a dental visit can be expensive; many typical dental procedures run in the hundreds, even thousands. Heaven forbid you have a cavity, or even worse, pain-- dentistry is such that when there is pain, the problem is usually far along. It is financially infeasible for many of us to receive this sort of basic standard of care out-of-pocket (read: without insurance).

Which is why people don't. They wait until pain becomes intolerable. Realizing that seeing a dentist at an office is financially out of reach, the lucky ones get in at the nearest dental emergency room or clinic. Now standard practice would usually try to save the tooth via filling/root canal, but not here. The treatment is to have the rogue tooth pulled. Nothing is put in its place, and the patient is sent on his way.

Not that everything is fine and dandy. Typical practice after pulling a tooth is to replace that tooth. But they're not going to make you a bridge or give you an implant over at the clinic. So over time, the teeth around that gap and across from it will start moving and may become loose and even fall out. Broken and missing teeth are known to contribute to malnutrition, gum disease, as well as low self-esteem. If you don't have teeth, you don't smile. If you go to a job interview without smiling, you're probably not going to get the job.

But the truly unlucky ones keep waiting (many dental emergency rooms have day-long waits, and clinics... well you'll be put on a waiting list for God-knows-how-long) or think they can handle it on their own by being hopped up on pain meds 24/7. Unfortunately, what happened to this 24-year-old man is very possible. Again, it's a slippery slope.

Nobody talks about dentistry the way people talk about medicine. That's why it's considered acceptable for many large employers to not even offer dental insurance, and for California to completely axe adult Medi-Cal dental benefits. We need to change that. We need to pass SB 810, and we need more dentists on board with our mission. Everyone needs dental insurance, much like everyone needs health insurance. Oral health and overall health are inseparable.

Interesting Piece on Canada

Don't write off the Canadian health care system

Some good myth-busting from someone who actually studies the Canadian health care system for a living.  Again, there's a lot to learn from other countries, whether or not you believe in American "exceptionalism." (I'm only putting this in quotations because it's not technically a word, not because I'm un-patriotic! Shame on you!)

CaHPSA Northern California Healthcare Conference

Whether you're completely new to the movement or have been involved for years, this conference will be a great opportunity to learn more about single-payer health reform and what actions you can take to make it a reality in California!

The 2011 CaHPSA Northern California Healthcare Conference will explore the current state of healthcare in the United States with an emphasis on California. We will address the need for additional healthcare reform in the wake of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Participants will learn what California is doing in response to the healthcare crisis to provide universal coverage to all Californians and how to become involved with the movement. Additionally, experts in the field will provide training on legislative advocacy and how to effect change in California.

There are a limited number of tickets available for this conference. Secure your seat now by registering online here.