Much confusion here about Medicare for all.

[roody]

You can read the bill at Congress.gov. The Senate version is S.1129. It's called Medicare for All Act of 2019.

[guillaumeb]

1. There is also fear of the unknown.

But given that Medicare is already an option for seniors, and given that seniors approve of Medicare, that fear is not based on facts.

[virgogal]

3. I'm on Medicare and the only thing that concerns me is that

a doctor can refuse Medicare and maybe this would get worse with Medicare for all. It has only happened to me once so I’ve been lucky.

[guillaumeb]

5. If most Americans were Medicare patients,

any provider who refused to treat Medicare patients would eliminate most of their potential clients.

As it is now, most people are not covered by Medicare.

[former9thward]

9. Not really.

They would switch to cash patients. Which many do now.

[guillaumeb]

13. How many doctors service only cash patients?

That might work for routine services at best. But if everyone were covered by Medicare, the doctors would follow the customers.

[LonePirate]

2. People despise change to the health care system in this country, even DUers.

It is this fear/hatred of changing the health care system which is causing considerable confusion (much of it willful) about the subject.

[Hoyt]

4. What the Bill doesn't do is tell the average Jane, Joe, and their kids what it's going to cost

them in taxes or premiums.

"It'll be less than what we are spending now," doesn't cut it.

That would help a lot. Until then, majority of people are going to want to what they have now and a Public Option, so they can have the choice. If the PO is significantly less, they'll take it.

Until then, many will view it as a crap-shoot.

[guillaumeb]

6. Agreed,

but comparing what Canadians pay versus what US consumers pay gives an accurate idea of what a similar system would look like. And Canadians pay significantly less for an equivalent level of care.

[Hoyt]

7. Agree. But Canada does not perform anywhere near the tests, etc., our docs do. Drugs aren't covered

in Canada either.

Seems simple to create a web-based calculator where you enter your age, family size, income, etc., and get an estimate.

[guillaumeb]

12. Some doctors perform tests mainly because they have the facilities to do so.

But yes, one might look at the Canadian model and make projections.

[Hoyt]

15. In fact, if you look at stats, docs who make money of tests -- ie, own facilities-- order tests

much more often than those who don’t.

Point is, our docs ain’t going to like the system Canada has. I’m fine with that, but it’s going to be an issue that has to be dealt with.

[guillaumeb]

16. Doctors in Quebec make less than their US equivalents.

But there is no "Canada to US" drain.

[Hoyt]

17. That's one reason our system will cost more, Canadian docs aren't in it totally for themselves.

[guillaumeb]

24. Each Canadian province budgets for care.

If medical school was relatively cheap, health care practitioners would have less debt.

[Hoyt]

25. Medicine in this country is only degree that will all but guarantee an income

of $250,000 or more to start. One can pay off a lot of debt with that. Docs have no room to whine.

Well maybe pediatricians do, but that’s about it.

[guillaumeb]

26. True, but many doctors start with a huge debt.

All part of a dysfunctional system.

[Hoyt]

27. First off, most can have that debt discharged by practicing in a health manpower shortage area,

which includes inner cities, for a few years. But, most don't want to do that.

And, like I said, you can payoff $300K quickly making $250K a year or more. Unlike years past, they get paid a decent amount for internship and residencies, too.

They have not reason to whine.

[uponit7771]

8. +1

[roody]

10. I have not read it, yet.

[cbdo2007]

20. I always use about 15 percent of income as a guesstimate...

I did some analysis about 10 years ago and came up with a number that was close to that...don't have my worksheet in front of me now but that total stuck with me for some reason.

Including what my employer pays that isnt too far off from my total now, so I could go either way on it, but employers would be forced to raise salaries I'd they lost the ability to provide this benefit.

[GulfCoast66]

11. Over half the voters in this country have the majority of their insurance paid by their employer

They will Never vote for a candidate that promises to take that certainty away for something Better! Promise! Trust me!

Heard a great interview with Speaker Pelosi today on NPR. She commented that she could show you the signs for things like this she carried when she was an advocate. But now that she actually has to produce results she has to deal with the reality of the situation. And the reality is the only option is to expand he ACA.

We actually have a model for this: France. The best healthcare system in the world by many opinions.

Employer still on the hook for their employees.

Healthcare insurance companies all nonprofit with quality of care mandated by law.

Taxes increased progressively to cover the insurance cost of those who are not employed or who are self employed making very little.

No one is bankrupt due to healthcare.


All these things can be accomplished by slow expansion of the ACA. I think this is the only direction we can win elections supporting.

[Humanist_Activist]

14. Reading the summary here:

https://about-france.com/health-care.htm

Makes it sound like all basic coverage are provided through a general government fund directly to providers, with some funds going to complementary insurances. This sounds more like Medicare Plus Part D, not like the ACA.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

19. Agree and I think simply "Healthcare for All" would do.

Using Medicare in the name will scare many seniors through the fear of losing coverage or having to deal with more complexity from a system that's already weak in many areas (as the pile of my wife's healthcare bills I paid tonight proved).

I also felt acquiescing with nicknaming the ACA as Obamacare was a mistake, but his administration seemed to encourage it. I just knew the Rethugs would go on a brutal campaign of attacks on him and anything connected to his administration.

[dansolo]

21. That was intentional

Bernie called it Medicare for All in order to give the impression of familiarity. His plan has no resemblance to Medicare.

[roody]

22. That makes sense. S. 1129 is better than Medicare.