Kamala Harris is open to compromise on private insurers' role during 'Medicare for all' push

[still_one]

22. First of all when people turn 65, they start paying premiums to Medicare. In addition, people

covered under Medicare are responsible for 20%, which can be quite substantial, and why most buy a supplemental or advantage plan to cover that 20%. Those require additional premiums. A drug plan may also be required which require an additional premium, and if they want dental coverage another premium might be required.

In other words, Medicare today is contigint on personal payment for premiums for part B, and another premium for a Medigap plan, all which require premiums.


Yes, people can opt out of Part B and Supplemental/Advantage/Drug coverage, but then they will only be covered for Part A, which is only if they are hospitalized. Good luck with those other Medical Costs if one doesn't have insurance for that. If you opt out of Part B at the beginning, and later decide the premiums will increase signicantly for those who later want Part B. A similar situation applies for a supplemental plan if one opts out initially, and later wants to opt in.