What Would Universal Healthcare Look Like In The U.S.?

Bio

David U. Himmelstein M.D. is a Professor of Public Health at the City University of New York at Hunter College and a Visiting Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  He graduated from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed a medical residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, a fellowship in General Internal Medicine at Harvard and practiced primary care internal medicine at the public hospital in Cambridge, MA for 28 years.  He has authored or co-authored more than 100 journal articles and three books, including widely-cited studies of medical bankruptcy and the high administrative costs of the U.S. health care system.  His 1984 study of patient dumping led to the enactment of EMTALA, the law that banned that practice.  He co-founded Physicians for a National Health Program, who’s 18,000 members advocate for non-profit, single payer national health insurance. 

Transcript

JESSICA DESVARIEUX, TRNN PRODUCER: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Jessica Desvarieux in Baltimore.

The U.S. health care system is the most expensive in the world and covers far fewer people than health care systems in other rich countries.

Joining us in-studio to discuss all of this is Dr. David Himmelstein. He's a primary care doctor and professor of public health at the City University of New York. He cofounded Physicians for a National Health Program.

Thanks for joining us, Doctor.