Would a single-payer system in the U.S. eliminate waste, inefficiencies and profiteering? How would we pay for it? Join us and learn the details.

Countries that guarantee health care as a human right may do so through a single-payer system that replaces for-profit health insurance. Singlepayer is financed by taxes that cover the costs of essential health care for all residents, as opposed to a multi-payer system in which private individuals or their employers buy health insurance or health care services from private or public providers. Canada and the United Kingdom are two examples - Canada's single-payer system contracts for health care services from private organizations, while the UK's system owns and employs health care resources and personnel.

Date: Thursday, October 12
Place: Harlem Road Community Center Auditorium
Time: 6:30 p.m. registration, 7 p.m. program

Speakers:
Debra Street, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Sociology Department at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Street conducts research on health and retirement issues, including the impact of planning, public programs and tax policies on health and income security. She is also an excellent resource on the Canadian health care system.

Kevin Ketchum is an attorney, local health care organizer and active member of the Campaign for New York Health, a statewide coalition dedicated to passing and implementing legislation for universal health care in New York State.

Kathleen Grimm, M.D. is a physician and member of the board of directors of the Erie County Medical Center.

The program will begin with a short film presenting the benefits of a singlepayer system for both the public and employers.

Free and open to the public.