Bernie's Offer to Trump: Single Payer Medicare for All NOW!

[Days]

Bernie is an [Unwelcome language removed] who's answer to everything is FREE everything for anyone he deems worthy.

Socialism we won't rest until everyone is miserable!!!

medicare for all could be just the ticket to return jobs to the middle class. The lower middle class is already on food stamps and medicare, so this is not that big a change to medicare as you might think. And it gets rid of the ACA.

think before you react, this was the idea that made a viable candidate out of Sanders. This program is very popular. Most of America wants it. It is a better fix, by far, than what Ryan drew up.

A little more socialism might be just the ticket to get capitalism rolling again. think outside the box, would a universal medicare make the cost of doing business in America cheaper? We were preaching that very idea in moneybox... 15 years ago.

 

[Spamature]

Hopefully, Bernie won't turn to a health care VP like Liz Fowler to write his bill.

"Former WellPoint VP Elizabeth Fowler sits behind her boss, Sen. Max Baucus, as he announces in 2009 that the health care bill will have no public option."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/05/obamacare-fowler-lobbyist-industry1

When you read the article it sounds like he had as many contacts with insurance lobbyist and the Trumpies do with the Russians.

 

[Constitutional Sheepdog]

 

[Zam-Zam]

Where do you see communism ruling today? Why would you believe a $500 billion savings every year in US health care costs is something to oppose?

North Korea. China. Russia.

Then "$500 billion savings" comes to us direct from the Department of Big Made-Up Numbers. Unfortunately, it does not exist in the real world.

 

[georgephillip]

When you read the article it sounds like he had as many contacts with insurance lobbyist and the Trumpies do with the Russians.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/05/obamacare-fowler-lobbyist-industry1

"'Elizabeth Fowler is leaving the White House for a senior-level position leading 'global health policy' at Johnson & Johnson's government affairs and policy group.'"

"The pharmaceutical giant that just hired Fowler actively supported the passage of Obamacare through its membership in the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) lobby.

"Indeed, PhRMA was one of the most aggressive supporters - and most lavish beneficiaries - of the health care bill drafted by Fowler.

"Mother Jones' James Ridgeway proclaimed 'Big Pharma' the 'big winner' in the health care bill. And now, Fowler will receive ample rewards from that same industry as she peddles her influence in government and exploits her experience with its inner workings to work on that industry's behalf, all of which has been made perfectly legal by the same insular, Versailles-like Washington culture that so lavishly benefits from all of this."

imho, we need to begin filling US prisons with the richest white collar criminals and lobbyists we can find. Both major parties agree: selling out is worth it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-winship/both-parties-agree-sellin_b_9114776.html

 

[georgephillip]

Then "$500 billion savings" comes to us direct from the Department of Big Made-Up Numbers. Unfortunately, it does not exist in the real world.

What's your definition of "real world?"
"DR. STEFFIE WOOLHANDLER: Well, the Republican plan, which was defeated, was just a meaner version of the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, both of those acts have left the private insurance industry in the center of the healthcare system. And we actually need to get the private health insurance industry out. Their overhead and profits and the overhead that they impose on doctors and hospitals are costing us $500 billion annually that we do not need to be spending..."

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/27/medicare_for_all_sen_bernie_sanders

"Stephanie Joan "Steffie" Woolhandler (born 1951 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American primary care physician and medical researcher. An advocate for single-payer healthcare in the United States, she is a co-founder and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program. She is a professor at the CUNY School of Public Health, adjunct clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steffie_Woolhandler

"Education[edit]
"Woolhandler received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University; her medical degree from Louisiana State University; and her master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.[1]"

You really need to come out of your bubble and live in the real world.

 

[Zam-Zam]

What's your definition of "real world?"
"DR. STEFFIE WOOLHANDLER: Well, the Republican plan, which was defeated, was just a meaner version of the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, both of those acts have left the private insurance industry in the center of the healthcare system. And we actually need to get the private health insurance industry out. Their overhead and profits and the overhead that they impose on doctors and hospitals are costing us $500 billion annually that we do not need to be spending..."

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/27/medicare_for_all_sen_bernie_sanders

"Stephanie Joan "Steffie" Woolhandler (born 1951 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American primary care physician and medical researcher. An advocate for single-payer healthcare in the United States, she is a co-founder and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program. She is a professor at the CUNY School of Public Health, adjunct clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steffie_Woolhandler

"Education[edit]
"Woolhandler received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University; her medical degree from Louisiana State University; and her master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.[1]"

You really need to come out of your bubble and live in the real world.

I've lived in twelve different states, been to over twenty different countries, had a career in the military before rejoining the civilian community. I've done volunteer work in my own community as well as overseas. I was born into abject poverty, graduated top of my class in high school, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, achieved at least moderate wealth, married a beautiful woman from another country and culture, raised a daughter, and retired at age 50. I'm sure I'm leaving a great deal out, but if that's a bubble, it's a pretty good sized one.

In other words, you obviously are commenting on something you know nothing about. Not a brilliant move.

 

[worldlymrb]

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/676

Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act

"This bill establishes the Medicare for All Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, dietary and nutritional therapies, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care.

"Only public or nonprofit institutions may participate. Nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities may participate.

"Patients may choose from participating physicians and institutions.

:Health insurers may not sell health insurance that duplicates the benefits provided under this bill.

"Insurers may sell benefits that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits."

See, you can still get your next face lift from for profit parasites.

Prisons have free healthcare too,

No thanks. I'll pass.

 

[georgephillip]

I've lived in twelve different states, been to over twenty different countries, had a career in the military before rejoining the civilian community. I've done volunteer work in my own community as well as overseas. I was born into abject poverty, graduated top of my class in high school, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, achieved at least moderate wealth, married a beautiful woman from another country and culture, raised a daughter, and retired at age 50. I'm sure I'm leaving a great deal out, but if that's a bubble, it's a pretty good sized one.

In other words, you obviously are commenting on something you know nothing about. Not a brilliant move.

Then "$500 billion savings" comes to us direct from the Department of Big Made-Up Numbers. Unfortunately, it does not exist in the real world.

What evidence from the "real world" do you have that disproves Dr. Woolhandler's claim that overhead and profits...are adding $500 billion annually to the cost of US healthcare?
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/27/medicare_for_all_sen_bernie_sanders

 

[Zam-Zam]

What evidence from the "real world" do you have that disproves Dr. Woolhandler's claim that overhead and profits...are adding $500 billion annually to the cost of US healthcare?
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/27/medicare_for_all_sen_bernie_sanders

You're impressed just because some claimed something? Really?

Can you prove it didn't happen? - The Amazing Criswell

 

[georgephillip]

You're impressed just because some claimed something? Really?

Can you prove it didn't happen? - The Amazing Criswell

Her credentials on US healthcare are public.
Where are yours?
If you have any evidence that counters her claims, post it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States#Overall_costs

 

[worldlymrb]

What evidence from the "real world" do you have that disproves Dr. Woolhandler's claim that overhead and profits...are adding $500 billion annually to the cost of US healthcare?
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/27/medicare_for_all_sen_bernie_sanders

Here is my proof that the public option always is overpriced garbage and the fact s are irrefutable.

If a govt run health care monopoly is cheaper, more efficient, and provides better health care services than a "for profit" provider, then why are public option supporters afraid of competition and always insist it has to be COMPULSORY?

Seems to me if a public option was cheaper, more efficient and wonderful as advertised, there would be no need to make the public option monopoly COMPULSORY!

It is precisely because any public option monopoly would provide overpriced shiity service is why govt can never allow competition and must dictate govt run public option monopoly be compulsory. The citizen will have no choice in his healthcare needs as all decisions will be made by fascist do-gooders and pencil neck geeks out of Washingstan.

 

[georgephillip]

Here is my proof that the public option always is overpriced garbage and the fact s are irrefutable.

If a govt run health care monopoly is cheaper, more efficient, and provides better health care services than a "for profit" provider, then why are public option supporters afraid of competition and always insist it has to be COMPULSORY?

Seems to me if a public option was cheaper, more efficient and wonderful as advertised, there would be no need to make the public option monopoly COMPULSORY!

We are not talking about a "public option." We are talking about a program like HR 676 which makes everyone eligible for a Medicare like plan with no copays and no deductibles for covered services. It is hard to see how private for-profit insurance companies could even compete since they have overhead of 20% compared to traditional Medicare's rate of 2%-3%. It seems possible to me services that are not covered by Medicare for All would be available on the "free" market, but there is simply no way for private providers to compete economically with a nation wide single payer system for all primary medical care services and most specialists; that is how the nation saves $400 to $500 billion a year on its medical bills.

 

[Spamature]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/05/obamacare-fowler-lobbyist-industry1

"'Elizabeth Fowler is leaving the White House for a senior-level position leading 'global health policy' at Johnson & Johnson's government affairs and policy group.'"

"The pharmaceutical giant that just hired Fowler actively supported the passage of Obamacare through its membership in the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) lobby.

"Indeed, PhRMA was one of the most aggressive supporters - and most lavish beneficiaries - of the health care bill drafted by Fowler.

"Mother Jones' James Ridgeway proclaimed 'Big Pharma' the 'big winner' in the health care bill. And now, Fowler will receive ample rewards from that same industry as she peddles her influence in government and exploits her experience with its inner workings to work on that industry's behalf, all of which has been made perfectly legal by the same insular, Versailles-like Washington culture that so lavishly benefits from all of this."

imho, we need to begin filling US prisons with the richest white collar criminals and lobbyists we can find. Both major parties agree: selling out is worth it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-winship/both-parties-agree-sellin_b_9114776.html

Ben Nelson (Nebraska's Omaha Mutual flunky) this guy and Joe Lieberman (from the insurance capital of the world insurance industry flunky) sabotaged the ACA for their big donor benefactors in the industry.

 

[georgephillip]

Ben Nelson (Nebraska's Omaha Mutual flunky) this guy and Joe Lieberman (from the insurance capital of the world insurance industry flunky) sabotaged the ACA for their big donor benefactors in the industry.

imho, Lieberman is another of the many corporate whores who deserve a slow death in federal prison.
"Elimination of 'public option' threw consumers to the insurance wolves
Commentary: big firms and their campaign cash found a friend in Joe Lieberman"
https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/16/16766/elimination-public-option-threw-consumers-insurance-wolves

 

[Raoul_Luke]

http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2017/03/rep_mo_brooks_files_bill_to_re.html

 

[georgephillip]

http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2017/03/rep_mo_brooks_files_bill_to_re.html

Your link:
"Effective as of Dec. 31, 2017, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted," the bill states.

"And that's it - one sentence."

I'm guessing that means "repeal" without any "replacement"?

Maybe that's why Mo's bill has no co-sponsors?

It looks like grandstanding, to me

 

[worldlymrb]

We are not talking about a "public option." We are talking about a program like HR 676 which makes everyone eligible for a Medicare like plan with no copays and no deductibles for covered services. It is hard to see how private for-profit insurance companies could even compete since they have overhead of 20% compared to traditional Medicare's rate of 2%-3%. It seems possible to me services that are not covered by Medicare for All would be available on the "free" market, but there is simply no way for private providers to compete economically with a nation wide single payer system for all primary medical care services and most specialists; that is how the nation saves $400 to $500 billion a year on its medical bills.

As long as what you posted above is not shoved down our throats as another COMPULSORY govt mandate, I would support it.

 

[georgephillip]

As long as what you posted above is not shoved down our throats as another COMPULSORY govt mandate, I would support it.

My opinion on the relative merits of healthcare plans is a long way from "expert"; however, it seems to me the government would have to make it COMPULSORY that private insurers offer plans in competition with Medicare for All:

http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2012/02/15/medicare-and-commercial-health-insurance-the-fundamental-difference/

"The basic difference between Medicare and commercial insurance is that Medicare is designed to absorb risk, serving individuals who have or may have costly and complex medical needs as well as the relatively healthy, whereas commercial insurance is required to protect its business interests by avoiding those most likely to use medical care.

"That’s why Medicare was first enacted. People over 65 were unable to buy commercial insurance because they use three times more medical services than working people; it was unaffordable or insurers simply refused to provide it.

"And now it’s simply unrealistic to imagine that commercial insurance companies will change their fundamental business model and work to protect the health and financial security of most Americans."