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July 12 Broadcast
Part 1:
1. Arnie Arnesen and Scott Braddock: discussion of several topics:
A. Executive order threat by Trump regarding the census citizenship question. In Texas, this is important, since in Houston area alone, 600,000 undocumented residents. If these are not counted, then this will affect federal funding for many initiatives, including schools. The census is used to allocate power and money.
B. Undocumented residents keep Social Security afloat. If all undocumented people were to be removed, Social Security would lose $13B, and Medicare would lose $3B. The undocumented pay, but are unable to collect.
C. Ross Perot, and how he affected Texas and national politics. His candidacy brought out many voters who had never voted in the past. Perot was also a precursor of Trump.
D. The shift of voting sentiment in Texas in the last few years. Increasingly, Texas is voting Democratic, and is becoming a swing state.
Part 2:
Arnie Arnesen and Michael Lighty. Michael Lighty represents the Sanders Institute on Health policy, which is currently suspended. Lighty is also on sabbatical from the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. He serves on the Lancet Commission on Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era.
Discussion of Medicare for all.
A. The majority of Americans self-reported worse health than in 1993., despite what was supposed to be reforms made by health insurance companies since then. In 2017, $3.5 T was spent in the US on health care costs. That is 18% of GDP. Other countries with single-payer or universal health care plans spend far less, and have better outcomes. It appears that there is no real commitment to solve this problem in American politics. The largest single lobbying force in Washington is the health care industry. Change is needed.
B. General discussion of current problems with health care, and effects on people, especially the poor or unemployed. Additionally, what advantages could be gained by Medicare for all.
Key words:
Health policy
Democrats
Republicans
Elections
