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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Would a Single Payer System Solve America's Health Care Problems?

WMUK

The chairman of the Missouri Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Programsays the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, does many things to help Americans, and will save lives. But Ed Weisbart says it doesn’t “go far enough.” 

Weisbart says the insurance industry siphons off much of the money spent on health care. He says problems with Medicare should be fixed, and then the program expanded to include Americans regardless of age. Weisbart was in Kalamazoo to speak with physicians. He also sat down with WMUK’s Gordon Evans to discuss why he thinks a “single payer” system would be the best solution for health care problems in the United States.

Asked if that would be a government takeover of health care, Wesibart says “no.” He says a single payer system would be more of a “free market” approach to health care. Weisbart says currently people end up changing doctors because of insurance coverage. He says people should be choosing doctors based on satisfaction with service, not because their employer changes insurance providers. 

edweisbart120315-web.mp3
Interview with Ed Weisbart - web version

Weisbart says there is physician support a single-payer system for health care in the United States. He says polling shows about 59% of doctors favor a single-payer system. Weisbart says doctors see their patients not seeking treatment because of financial barriers. He says a single payer system would help with legal issues such as malpractice.

Asked if the United States can afford a single payer health care system, Weisbart says “We can’t afford not to do this.” He says there would be new costs, but there would also be savings. Weisbart says the money spent on health care and health insurance is limiting the United States’ “ability to compete as a nation.”

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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