General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Can someone explain (in simple english) what is meant by the "Single Payer" option. [View all]TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)As it doesn't define who that single payer is which can mean it's you personally or the government on behalf of everyone personally. Besides, most people have no idea what it is that's being advocated by that phrase. Even saying the whole phrase single payer universal health care doesn't clear it up any better and for the same reason, and technically it doesn't even make sense since there are two payers - the citizenry pays the government, and the government pays the health care bills of the citizenry. What it is apparently supposed to mean is national health care... where the citizenry pays taxes to the government, and the government then pays everyone's health care bills. The government also pays for the building and running of hospitals, nursing homes, rehab clinics, etc. Whether it's a regular check up, an emergency room visit, surgery and recovery or end of life care everyone's health care is paid for by the government whether each citizen is able to pay into the taxes pool for it or not... everyone in/nobody out as long as you're a citizen.
It's the most sensible, humane and most financially sound system of health care there is, yet the US won't implement it as every other civilized country has because of the financial interest the health care businesses and our politicians have. This is never going to change as long as that financial marriage between business and government is allowed to exist. And since it benefits both businesses and government it will take drastic measures by the rank and file citizenry to change.