Originally Posted By skinnerbox And you know this, how? Do you have an absolute fool-proof 100% verifiable inside track into how Medicare for Everyone would be conducted? Or are you just pulling the usual rightwing paranoia talking points out of your arse? (Given your other rhetoric, I'm going with the latter.) Supplemental Medicare plans exist now. Today. They are not fiction. To think that they would disappear completely and go away by simply giving everyone Medicare and not just seniors and the disabled is stupid. Bat shyte crazy stupid. Other countries with universal health care legally allow private supplemental insurance policies, through for-profit insurance companies, for their citizens. Fact. America currently offers private supplemental insurance policies, through for-profit insurance companies, to Medicare recipients now. Fact. Medicare for Everyone will NOT eliminate the private supplemental insurance policies for Medicare, whether or not you choose to accept it.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Or are you just pulling the usual rightwing paranoia talking points out of your arse?>> Not rightwing paranoia just someone whose concerned about what this plan is going to bring us. And to be honest I'm not comfortable with complete strangers having to pay for my health care if need be.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***But if you guys had your way there wouldn't be any private insurance. It would be solely government run health care. Tell me how that's fair.*** Actually, such a system would be exceptionally "fair", since everyone would be treated equally. I think what you mean is, wouldn't that be unfair to the wealthy or well-funded (medically speaking) people who up until now have had a significant *advantage* in receiving medical care and treatment. The answer is yes. And I'm okay with that.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Most small business employers who can afford to offer health insurance -- and those numbers continue to dwindle every month -- only offer one insurance provider, which keeps you stuck with that provider.<< It's not just small businesses. I work for a Fortune 100 company - a company that's consistently recognized for having some of the best benefits anywhere. I am given the choice of one insurance provider. One. We switched this year from Cigna to Anthem, so guess who gets to change doctors? Me. And that's the falsehood of DAR's assertion that somehow the open market gives him a choice. In reality, people in countries with "socialized medicine" have far more of a choice than he ever will. Who really provides the care? Is it the insurance company? Nope. They're just a vampire middle-man, taking money and really offering nothing back. The people who provide the care are the doctors and hospitals. But under our current system, you don't have a choice of who you go to, unless they're under your insurance providers plan. So if it's choice you want, go with a government-run plan. Then you can choose any doctor instead of having to change, like I do, when your company decided to save a few bucks by going with a cheaper provider. Oh, and my premiums will be going up. Yup, some great American system we've got here.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And that's the falsehood of DAR's assertion that somehow the open market gives him a choice. In reality, people in countries with "socialized medicine" have far more of a choice than he ever will.*** Yup. I can go to any doc I want to.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ya, me too X. And I can get 2nd opinions. Heck, we even get a choice of whether we want the pill, coil, cap, femidom, or several other condoms.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Extending Medicare to everyone does NOT eliminate private insurance. In fact, it makes private insurance more affordable through supplemental plans.<<< This is the exact option in the UK, and I have used both services. The big difference with private is shorter waiting times for non emergency procedures. Also, private rooms rather than shared wards for in patients.
