No, Bernie's M4A plan was not changed like some here want others to believe.

[HerbChestnut]

When the campaign for Medicare for All was launched, it was predicted their would be a counter campaign of misinformation from various groups who would not want it passed. Well, we're seeing some of that misinformation on this board. It stems from an article posted in WaPo:

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-bernie-sanders-changes-medicare-for-all-plan-in-face-of-opposition-by-organized-labor/2019/08/21/d8144e06-c423-11e9-9986-1fb3e4397be4_story.html?noredirect=on

Short version of the story, Unions have been concerned that M4A would strip them of their negotiated benefits. This concern has been fueled by people against M4A, like certain other candidates that shall not be mentioned. Nonetheless, the Sanders campaign wanted to alleviate all fears, just or otherwise, and added a sentence into the M4A plan that specifically says Unions can negotiate for better healthcare coverage with their employers under M4A. Thing is, there was nothing that stopped them from doing that in the first place under the "old" M4A plan.

It's a shame what this board is coming to.

[Autumn]

1. I remember reading it, it said employers could offer it to their employees.

People run with anything Bernie related. Personally, I think unions should go for MFA which would be cheaper and negotiate for higher wages.

[HerbChestnut]

2. It's a no brainer.

There's just some very powerful and influential people out there who are spreading misinformation to try and stop it from getting passed. It's a shame.

[Voltaire2]

3. Those people are otherwise known as the Health Insurance Industry and the Pharma Industry

and their minions and useful idiots, all of whom are dutifully regurgitating the talking points.

it is truly sad that after so many years of this crap, the abject corruption, the propaganda onslaughts, so many of us just fall for it.

This is why we can't have nice things, we just keep getting fooled again.

[George II]

4. Here's a link to his bill:

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/medicare-for-all-act-of-2019?id=0DD31317-EF09-4349-A0D4-0510991EF748&download=1&inline=file

SEC. 107. PROHIBITION AGAINST DUPLICATING COVERAGE.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the effective date described in section 106(a), it shall be unlawful for—

(1) a private health insurer to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act; or

(2) an employer to provide benefits for an employee, former employee, or the dependents of an employee or former employee that duplicate the benefits provided under this Act.

Since he claims that everyone ("All" ) will be covered for everything, this one clause essentially makes it unlawful for employees/unions to buy private insurance outside "Medicare for All".

Now he's just playing with words and backtracking.

[HerbChestnut]

5. Thank you for posting that. It proves my point.

Nowhere does it say employees cannot bargain for benefits outside of what is covered in M4A. If M4A covers what employees already bargained for, great, they don't lose anything. The more likely scenario is that M4A will cover more than what most employees receive in benefits.

[George II]

6. See, that's the "out" - he says his plan will cover EVERYTHING, so what isn't already covered....

....in "EVERYTHING"? Theoretically, nothing. Ergo, any other insurance is "unlawful".

Further, here's more from his bill:

(2) OPTION TO CONTINUE IN OTHER COVERAGE

DURING TRANSITION PERIOD.—Any person who is eligible to receive benefits as described in paragraph (1) may opt to maintain any coverage described in section 901, private health insurance coverage, or coverage offered pursuant to subtitle A of title X (including the amendments made by such subtitle) until the effective date described in subsection (a).

But now he's parsing his own bill.

[HerbChestnut]

7. His campaign only included the language about unions being able to negotiate because...

Certain candidates and other entities are trying to scare those unions into believing they will lose coverage they previously negotiated for. Clearly that is not true. Opponents to M4A are just playing mind games, and it's sad to see those talking points repeated on this forum.

[George II]

9. Ah, so he HAS changed it.

[HerbChestnut]

10. The functionality of the bill is exactly the same.

This is not difficult, George.

[Demsrule86]

21. negotiate tummy tucks and the like ...stuff not covered in the plan...well that will win them over.

[Demsrule86]

22. They would lose their coverage that they gave up pay for...and would be unlikely to get anything

better in today's climate.

[HerbChestnut]

24. Under M4A, what coverage would they lose exactly?

Are we talking doctor's visits? Surgeries? Dental? Here's the bill.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1384/text

[wasupaloopa]

11. Let me get this straight. On a certain date all insurance

companies become outlaws.

The SCOTUS will like that.

[George II]

12. Theoretically that's what BS' bill says. Of course it has no chance of passing anyway, so it's moot.

[wasupaloopa]

13. All investors will lose their money. All employees will be

unemployed.

If Bernie’s bill passed or looked like it could pass the insurance industry would not carry on business as usual. Everyone will lose coverage on or before it became law.

[George II]

14. There are SO many things that haven't been worked out in this plan. Wait, maybe they have....

....after all, the GND plan introduced today says that it will create 20 million jobs, but there are only 9 million people unemployed.

Maybe if he dovetails the two plans, all the millions of people in the healthcare insurance industry who lose their jobs can get jobs via the GND! That's brilliant. Maybe we haven't given him enough credit.

Now, how do we get 60 Senators to vote for it.

[wasupaloopa]

15. Bernie is a pied piper. He makes up fantasy ideas

and all the Bernieites follow him down the lane in mindless adoration.

[Voltaire2]

16. Lock em up!

Nope that isn’t in the bill either.

[Demsrule86]

23. Can you imagine the job losses?

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended

Thanks for the thread HerbChestnut.

[Demsrule86]

17. Since there will be no private insurance how is that going to work? Such nonsense...

[HerbChestnut]

18. M4A allows for private companies to provide health insurance not covered under M4A.

[Demsrule86]

19. That is a dodge...I want to keep my plan...MFA would raise my cost considerably ...and I would have

to pay for all of it...and don't expect me to believe my company will increase my paycheck...they won't.

[Demsrule86]

20. The union would lose their gold plated earned coverage and be covered for tummy tucks and the like..

no thanks. And MFA is not going to happen anytime soon...support the ACA it is what we have and may always have...I believe it can lead to universal coverage.

[HerbChestnut]

26. Nope. No bias here. Move along now...