Stay on message: How we pay for universal healthcare is irrelevant

[FredZim]

US healthcare costs 2.5 times the average per capita cost of other industrialized countries. All these countries have some variation of a single payer and most provide universal healthcare. The current US healthcare system literally could not have a worse financial model. We have neither the advantage of competitive pricing nor a government negotiating pricing.

If Medicare-for-all reduces that number. Conversation over. Drop the mic.

Stay on message Democrats. Don't let the media devolve discussion into if it is raising taxes vs an insurance premium. That discussion on how we pay for healthcare has as much meaning as deciding between using a credit card vs a debit card.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/health-costs-how-the-us-compares-with-other-countries

[Demsrule86]

1. And I am sure if we tell folks how we pay for M4A is not important, they will come out in droves to

vote for us in the general...and of course the GOP will not jump into the vacuum and explain in great detail (wrong of course and making the worst case ) how expensive this would be in order to help their candidates win because health care has been a losing issue for Republicans lately (both in 18 and this year). Of course that could change if we are not careful.

[Turbineguy]

2. The whole point is that

we are already paying for it. Just not directly. And we are paying for it inefficiently.

[Thekaspervote]

3. Joe Biden's plan on health care coverage is the winner

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/joe-biden-health-plan-medicare-for-all-040109177.html

[wellst0nev0ter]

14. Article says it'll leave 6 million Americans uninsured

[LovingLife]

4. False Statement - but common misconception

"All these countries have some variation of a single payer and most provide universal health care.".

This is false. Both left and right seem to believe this. Google "wiki health insurance germany' click on the wikipedia link. Try this with any country.

For Germany is starts with, "Germany has a universal multi-payer health care system paid for by a combination of statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and "Private Krankenversicherung" (private health insurance)."

For the UK
"Health care in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter, with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each having their own systems of publicly funded health care, funded by and accountable to separate governments and parliaments, together with smaller private sector and voluntary provision."

Norway
"In Norway, all hospitals are funded by the public as part of the national budget.[1] However, while medical treatment is free of charge for any person younger than the age of sixteen, residents who have reached adulthood must pay a deductible each year before becoming eligible for an exemption card. The card entitles one to free healthcare for the remainder of that year."

The very closest to single-payer is France, which has excellent health care system.

The important point is that everyone must be covered one way or the other. That's good.

You are correct that the US spends way more, and yes - every person living here should be able to get health care.

Another myth left and right seem to have is that "Medicare"-for-all is great coverage. It isn't. Most people who can afford it purchase Medicare Supplemental or Medicare Advantage, as Medicare leaves a lot uncovered. In my case I also buy Dental and Prescription Drug coverage. Again most who can afford it do too. Medicare does not cover this stuff.

Saying falsehoods like we often do, will only let the GOP correctly pick apart our arguments. Many of us are as ignorant as we accuse the right of being.

My 2 cents - the ACA was designed to be expanded, and to have the percentage of profit that insurance companies keep be reduced. All it takes for these things is an act of Congress and a President to sign. With the next Democratic Congress and Democratic President this will happen. VOTE

[FredZim]

13. You're making a straw man argument

You're trying to parse the term single-payer into a very narrow definition. Then claim these countries don't have it. You say the UK's NHS is not single-payer when it is an outright nationalized healthcare system.

True, Germany system is hybrid like several other countries, much like Americans buy supplement Medicare coverage. Which I personally think should continue. That is a government provides a "bronze" style basic coverage but wealthier Americans can buy supplemental coverage to meet "gold" style coverage.

But ALL industrialized countries have heavy government healthcare managed system that are FAR more effective then the current US plan. Again see my link.

[relayerbob]

5. Honestly

The second someone says "Conversation over", I'm done listening to that person. That is incredibly condescending.

To be fair, if all Dems do is focus on health care at the expense of everything else, as many seem to be doing, we'll lose. Health care is but one piece of a much larger puzzle, and paying for it is a critical part of that piece

[Nitram]

6. I tend to agree. All of the Democrats' health care/insurance plans are designed to reduce costs,

get rid of waste (such as marketing cost), and increase efficiency. They all encourage greater prevention as a vital element in health care/insurance, which will result in cost saving and better health outcomes.

[brooklynite]

7. If the Democrat doesn't get elected, it's over

[LuvLoogie]

8. Sorry. You gotta do the math.

[SCantiGOP]

9. agree

Don't give the repubs a very forceful talking point by having our side say it is irrelevant how to pay for something that is a major part of our economy. Foolish rhetoric.

[AncientGeezer]

10. "..meaning as deciding between using a credit card vs a debit card."

There's no interest using a debit card...you know EXACTLY what the full price is.

[iwannaknow]

11. 1,000%

[Gothmog]

12. I strongly disagree

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