GET THE HELL RID OF MEDICAL INSURANCE.

[elleng]

As with Federal Employees Health Benefits, the big payer, the GOVERNMENT, negotiates (with it's BIG pockets) with providers to moderate their price demands, resulting in far reduced costs.

[leftstreet]

1. Hell yeah!

DURec

[babylonsister]

2. I'm way ahead of you.

I already don't have any. Universal!!!! That's a high mountain to climb with the money and corporations involved.

[elleng]

3. Definitely Universal, SINGLE PAYER

We the People! SO tired of hearing all this about 'affording' INSURANCE! I can afford my AUTO insurance! (and fortunately can afford the premiums I pay for my retired federal employees policy and medicare,) but most don't have this ability.

[MontanaMama]

4. I'm all over that

and have been forever. Single payer is the only way out of this mess. I've been calling my reps and asking that they take the ACA to the next logical step. Waiting for one of them to step up and propose it.

Medical Insurance = Organized Crime

[elleng]

5. Absolutely organized crime.

[pat_k]

10. Conyers medicare for all version introduced this session

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

I'm not sure Medicare or All is the right bill to put front and center as a competing bill to the Rs, but if you think it is, when you contact your Rep, ask them to sign on to Conyers as a co-sponsor, and actually make an effort to "sell it" to the public.

IMO, a competing ACA "fix" bill that adds the public option may be more successful in moving things in the right direction. More here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1728146

And as they make the case for the"Dem alternative" they need to frame it as a step toward what we REALLY need. A national, public health care system.The following post describes why I think universal health care must be part of the "conversation" NOW. If we don't make the case -- loud and proud -- we will NEVER be able to generate the political will necessary to get there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8773578

[pat_k]

6. Dems need to write -- and get out there and sell -- competing bill with 'public option"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1728146

[PatSeg]

7. Absolutely!

There should be no place for private insurance or profit in healthcare. It doesn't work and everyone knows it.

[pat_k]

12. +1

Some related posts about the need to make the case NOW:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1728146


http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8773578

[uponit7771]

8. ...and over priced medical cost!!!!

[elleng]

9. Right! Get a single payer with real CLOUT and costs go DOWN!

[pat_k]

13. ACA Dem alternative with Public Option

It's only an "incremental" step, but a good one that can be connected to the case for the REAL goal -- national health system/ universal health care/ single payer (whatever we want to call it).

Related posts:

Why Dems need to put forward, and Make the Case for, our own ACA "fix" bill:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1728146



And why they need to connect it to making the case for universal health care:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8773578

[elleng]

15. Thanks, pat_k.

[Dem2]

11. Agreed

I wish people would revolt on them in a serious and convincing way.

[Adrahil]

14. Just as a note... FEHB is not a form of "single payer."

I was a federal Employee for 20 years. FEHB is more like an exchange. There are multiple providers and you can choose from among them. At least it was when I left Federal service in 2004.

[elleng]

16. I know it is not, I have it,

as a fed retiree. MULTIPLE providers, and much choice.

As I said, 'the GOVERNMENT, negotiates (with it's BIG pockets) with providers to moderate their price demands, resulting in far reduced costs.'

[Adrahil]

17. I'd suggest an edit.....

The Gubmint negotiate with Insurers, not health care providers. That's where I got confused about what you meant (use of the word providers).