An important movement fighting for Medicare For All
There are going to be important marches for Medicare for All, all across America on July 24th
It would be very easy to argue that the biggest issue in America is the for-profit health care system. Over 26,000 Americans die each year because they do not have health insurance. 62 % of medical bankruptcies in America are because of medical debt. Over 2 million people have financial troubles because of their medical debt. 72% of Americans with medical bills had to cut their food expenses to avoid bankruptcy. All of these problems only exist in America. This is not a problem in Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Guernsey, The Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand all of which have some form or another of universal healthcare.
In December of 2020 and January 2021, there was a movement referred to as Force the Vote started by comedian and youtube host Jimmy Dore and supported by some of the biggest figures on the left including intellectuals like Cornel West, Bernie Sander’s former press secretary Briahna Joy Gray and co-founder of the Justice Democrats Kyle Kulinski. Despite the fact that this strategy could have easily been done every single progressive in the house of representatives voted for Nancy Pelosi without a vote on Medicare for all. Many people are starting to realize electoral politics is not going to get the United States Medicare for all, as elected progressives have no plan to pass it, will not cross the corporate wing of the democratic party, and barely even tweet in support of Medicare for all anymore. Many on the left have advocated that the best way to get Medicare for all is through grassroots action a sentiment I agree with.
Many advocates for Medicare for All have felt hopeless in the fight for universal healthcare but there is a positive development as of late. The Group March for Medicare for All is organizing a country-wide march for Medicare for All. It has blown up as of late and there are now organizers planning marches in 38 states. It is so important for the left to support this movement as grassroots activism is the best way for the left to win. Every single positive development in American history from women’s right to vote to civil rights has been because of on-the-ground action. In my view it is extremely important for progressives to support this movement either by taking part in the marches, donating, or doing anything else to help this movement grow. You can visit their website here to learn how you can help support them. The movement has been endorsed by many big figures on the left including 2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant
The march will be held on July 24th, 2021. If this March keeps growing it could be instrumental in bringing about Medicare for All. The Dissident reached out to March for Medicare for all and activist and supporter of the march Joy Marie. Here is their message as to why this march is important. In a statement to the Dissident Marie said “As someone who became disabled/mostly blind last year, Medicare for all would change my life drastically. But it truly is not me, us. I worked in healthcare for over a decade and have supported Medicare for all for years. When you bear witness to the violent sick-care system in place, you have the choice of empathy, or ignorance. I chose empathy. Millions of people are either uninsured or underinsured. That includes children, the elderly, and those with medical needs. We are witnessing eugenics of the Poor. Even in a deadly pandemic, our egregious system remains. We’ve looked to our supposed allies in Congress to do as they promised they would fight for us, but we were left behind. It’s time to bring the masses who are sick and tired of being sick and tired together, for action. We went from 1 March, to 38 marches because people from all over the country are feeling hopeless. We’re at a loss. What else do we have, but each other? We have the potential to get thousands of people in the streets, nationwide on July 24. It’s time we demand this basic human right. Not ask. Not settle for bread crumbs. Demand it.” The dissident reached out to the March for Medicare for all Twitter account which responded with a simple but powerful message, they said: “It’s simple. Medicare For All saves lives, livelihoods and money. People shouldn’t fall victim to predatory health insurance companies.” This movement is someone the left can and should band together and support.
Please donate to the March for Medicare for all here if you are able to.
Correction: There are Marches in 38 locations not 38 states and the Activist I reached out too’s name is Joy, not Joy Marie but goes by the name “Savage Joy Marie-Mostly blind, but aware AF-Mann” on Twitter.