Medicare For All - Yay or Nay?

[MannyGoldstein]

Are you in favor of extending Medicare to all US residents?

[Clintonista2]

1. How about full UNIVERSAL health care...

or is it the same thing? I'm Canadian so we dont have "Medicare"... we have simply have "Health Care"

[MannyGoldstein]

3. I Think That Medicare is One Way To Achieve Universal Health Care

It's actually roughly the same model that you use in the Great White North, eh?

[Vincardog]

5. Medicare is Government provided health insurance. It requires 20% copays

What we need to have is Universal single payer health CARE.

[ProudDad]

9. Medicare is an already existing

Single-Payer structure that has a 1-3% overhead, already works pretty well although severely underfunded. (On Edit: Thus the high co-pays)

Yes, it's shorthand for Universal, Single-payer coverage for all.

There's a bill in our Congress right now to implement it:

HR 676: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm

[El Supremo]

2. Medicare part B & D cost extra.

Those need to be free in the current Medicare or a proposed health care plan for all.

[ClassWarfare2008]

4. Expanding Medicare would seem to be the easiest way to overhaul the system.

"Where's the money gonna come from?"

Easy... two places

1) Eliminate tax "cuts" for the rich who don't pay taxes anyway.

2) Stop funding the corrupt and murderous "defense industry" (and no that does not include a REASONABLE military required to defend the United States of America)

[Buzz Clik]

6. Where's the money supposed to come from?

[One_Life_To_Give]

7. With Mandated Supplemental Insurance I Suppose?

It's better than nothing but not something to write home about. And we would still have far too many people without adequate coverage. Not to mention the millions who would still have to decide wether to eat or get their medications.

[baldguy]

8. No to anything that leaves for-profit corporations in the mix.

I despise the idea that anyone making money off of my blood, pain & suffering.

[ProudDad]

10. HR 676 - call your congresscritters and DEMAND

that they sign on and support it:

Brief Summary of HR 676

· The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes an American national health insurance program. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health status.
· With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non health care system.

Who is Eligible

· Every person living in or visiting the United States and the U.S. Territories would receive a United States National Health Insurance Card and ID number once they enroll at the appropriate location. Social Security numbers may not be used when assigning ID cards.
Health Care Services Covered
· This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, in patient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment. Patients have their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, clinics and practices. No co-pays or deductibles are permitted under this act.

Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System

· Private health insurers shall be prohibited under this act from selling coverage that duplicates the benefits of the USNHI program. Exceptions to this rule include coverage for cosmetic surgery, and other medically unnecessary treatments. Those who are displaced as the result of the transition to a non- profit health care system are the first to be hired and retrained under this act.

Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

· The National USNHI program will set reimbursement rates annually for physicians, allow for "global budgets" (annual lump sums for operating expenses) for health care providers; and negotiate prescription drug prices. The national office will provide an annual lump sum allotment to each existing Medicare region; each region will administer the program.
· The conversion to a not-for-profit health care system will take place over a 15 year period. U.S. treasury bonds will be sold to compensate investor-owned providers for the actual appraised value of converted facilities used in the delivery of care; payment will not be made for loss of business profits. Health insurance companies could be sub-contracted out to handle reimbursements.

Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

· Maintaining current federal and state funding of existing health care programs. A modest payroll tax on all employers of 3.3%. A 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners. A small tax on stock and bond transfers. Closing corporate tax loop-holes, repealing the Bush tax cut.


http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm

[LibinMo]

11. Yep but be careful what you wish for.........

I am on medicare. Every year the premiums increase and the coverage
decreases. Any COLA adjustment in Social Security benefits is cancelled by Medicare premium increase. I am healthy so it's still a good deal for me.

That said, I still would prefer seeing Medicare extended to every US citizen.
Just make it mandatory that EVERY citizen has the SAME coverage. No exceptions.

Make the fatcat politicians get along with the same program as the rest of us,
from the President on down. Then you might see some reforms.

That is my fantasy.