Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumYang supporters vs Bernie supporters on Medicare for All
Ok so there is a semantics issue that is definitely a thing with M4A but I just found this funny and thought it was worth sharing. There's a lot of overlap between Yang's and Bernie's supporters so no offense intended
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)...by John Conyers and by Bernie Sanders are both Single Payer. Not a public option which Andrew Yang wants.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TexasTowelie
(112,150 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Access to quality healthcare is one of the most important factors in overall well being, and yet America is one of the few industrialized nations not to provide healthcare for all of its citizens. Instead, we have a private healthcare system that leaves millions uninsured and bankrupts even some of those who do have health insurance. At the same time, our cost of care is higher than in almost any other industrialized country while providing worse outcomes. The Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction, providing funds to states to innovate while expanding Medicaid substantially. However, it didnt address the fundamental issues plaguing our healthcare system:
Access to medicine isnt guaranteed to all citizens
The incentives for healthcare providers dont align with providing quality, efficient care
This must change.
Through a Medicare for All system, we can ensure that all Americans receive the healthcare they deserve. Not only will this raise the quality of life for all Americans, but, by increasing access to preventive care, it will also bring overall healthcare costs down.
With a shift to a Medicare for All system, costs can also be controlled directly by setting prices provided for medical services. The best approach is highlighted by the top-ranked Cleveland Clinic. There, doctors are paid a flat salary instead of by a price-for-service model. This shift has led to a hospital where costs are visible and under control. Redundant tests are at a minimum, and physician turnover is much lower than at comparable hospitals.
Doctors also report being more involved with their patients. Since theyre salaried, theres no need to churn through patient after patient. Instead, they can spend the proper amount of time to ensure that each patient receives their undivided attention and empathy.
Outside of a shift to a Medicare for All system, we can look to the Southcentral Foundation for another important shift necessary in the way we treat patients: holistic approaches. At this treatment center for native Alaskans, mental and physical problems are both investigated, and, unsurprisingly, the two are often linked. By referring patients to psychologists during routine physicals, doctors are able to treat, for example, both the symptoms of obesity and the underlying mental health issue that often is related to the issue. The referral also leads people with issues they may otherwise try to bury sexual abuse, addictions, or domestic violence issues to bring them up with a doctor so that they can be addressed.
By providing holistic healthcare to all our citizens, well drastically increase the average quality of life, extend life expectancy, and treat issues that often go untreated. Well also be able to bring costs under control and outcomes up, as most other industrialized nations have.
Finally, being tied to an employer so that you dont lose your healthcare prevents economic mobility. Its important that people feel free to seek out new opportunities, and our current employer-provided healthcare system prevents that.
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/medicare-for-all/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Towards a Medicare for all. If you honestly believe that you can wave a magic wand and next Wednesday an entire industry is completely reformed from private insurance to public you are likely to be a bit surprised.
There are a whole lot of people employed in the private insurance business and they will need to transition to other jobs and employers. Starting with a public option along with changing the incentives to health care from profit (as described on his webpage) and allowing the market place to do some of that transition as the public picks their insurance from a public option will help with that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Mouth
(3,149 posts)are the Union people who have (and have for decades and great cost FOUGHT FOR) decent plans. Yes, a single payer national health service makes more sense, we need to get there in the long run, it certainly would be the way to go if we could turn back time and do it from scratch, but- do *NOT* piss on (or off) my union brothers and sisters; we've gone out on strike, and often taken serious wage concessions to get decent coverage. This isn't an 'I've got mine, fuck you', it's a 'we're fighting for this and if you wish to join us we'll help you organize a union, too' attitude. I know of no Union brother or sister against a public option for those without coverage, but human nature is what it is and it would be dumb to take something away from your base.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)and I know of what you speak. We had many years of wage concessions to keep good health care.
I do hope that we get to M4A but it has to start somewhere and the public option using the market forces is a huge first step in the process. This simply cannot happen overnight and shouldn't as there are too many folks who would be affected.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)One of the best thoughts being put forward.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,370 posts)Together, they could do great things for the country.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided