Reply #1: Here's my objection, the notion that it's the only possible solution [View All]

[Hippo_Tron]

The health insurance industry is a cartel. It's inefficient and highly profitable. Getting rid of the industry entirely and passing HR 676 would certainly be more efficient.

Here's another solution. Pass something similar to what Edwards/Hillary/Obama are proposing with keeping the current system in place, subsidizing low income people, and forcing insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions at the same price. With one crucial difference. Use anti-trust legislation to break up the cartel. Force real competition in the insurance industry, so that it is efficient and profits are minimal.

My problem is that a lot of DUers base their support on single payer based on the standpoint that privatized health insurance is morally wrong. That isn't where I base my thought process from. I base my thought process on a goal of universal coverage and the best possible quality of health care.

Single payer may be the most efficient system possible but I'm not entirely convinced of that. Furthermore, I'm not sure how we address this future scenario: Lets say that we have a Republican warmonger in office with sky high approval ratings and he wants to start a war and the public is firmly behind him. What is going to stop Congress from gradually taking money out of the health system to fund the war?