My name is Kevin B. Zeese, I am here today to testify in support of SB 410 and its companion bill HB 1152 – single payer health care.

Maryland, and the United States, can provide health care for all if we change to a single-payer health care system. Single payer will ensure that health care is affordable, comprehensive, lasts a lifetime and will allow consumers to keep their health care no matter what their job status. And, it can be done for less money then the current system.

The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other country in the world but each year 80 million Americans are without health care for six months or more. Why? Because twenty-five percent – one out of four health care dollars – goes to insurance bureaucracy, unnecessary (often padded/fraudulent) billing, huge profits and bloated executive salaries. We must substitute private health insurance with efficient publicly-financed single payer and no-fault insurance for malpractice. However, health care delivery should remain private so patients are free to choose the type of health care they want as well as the professional who provides it.

A single payer system is best for businesses and workers. Businesses are relieved of the burden of health care – an uncontrollable cost that threatens business profit and survival, and which also makes hiring employees risky. Workers benefit because they can change jobs, return to school, or take care of their families without worrying about health care. Further, single payer ensures comprehensive benefits throughout an individual's life.

Physicians benefit because administrative bureaucracy is reduced, every patient encounter is covered, patients visit their doctor's more often and quality care is rewarded. Additionally, the bureaucracy of pre-authorization for procedures and medicine, paperwork for multiple payers, fighting for payment in a complex system often designed to prevent payment is reduced allowing physicians to deliver quick and efficient care.

Malpractice is greatly reduced because patients with poor medical outcomes are provided with health care. Malpractice will not be needed to enforce quality care as single payer can create positive incentives.

The U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not provide universal health care. It is long past time to make health care available to all. It will serve patients, health care providers, business and public budgets more effectively.