An added bonus to Public Option I have not seen discussed on DU

[AwakeAtLast]

Mom is a Republican, lives in one of the reddest states in So. IL, and voted for John McCain (yeah, I know :grr: ). Dad is a loose cannon - he voted for Perot! They were visiting with me yesterday. We have had many discussions about health care reform. My parents have had roving opinions, never really coming out with anything solid and most of what they say sounds like Right Wing talking points. During yet another discussion on that topic yesterday my Mom drops this one:

"Why can't we just give everyone Medicare?"



:wow:



I said, a little sarcastically, "Because, Mom, that would be Socialism."

She says, "At least everyone would be covered right away." I'm beginning to feel a little hopeful.

Then as we are discussing further she talks about all of her friends who are still working because they can't afford health insurance if they retire before Medicare kicks in. A light is going off in my head. She just turned 65, retired at 62 and was paying $700/month for her medical coverage (state program) until she turned 65. She knew what her other friends would be facing and knew that many were being forced to keep working.

Anyway, the point of this post is this: how many people over the age of 60 would decide to retire if they knew they had a public option for health insurance? I think the numbers would be staggering and would solve some of our unemployment issues. Would that be considered an added plus to the Public Option?

What say you, DU? :shrug:

[napi21]

1. There's a few more advantages to offering everyone Medicare.

There are also a lot of people who must continue to work even past when THEY turn 65 because their spouse is ypounger than they are and they can't afford to pay for that single policy to cover their spouse. My husband had to work until he was 66 because I'm one year younger than he is. All I could think of at the time is what do people do when their spouse is 5 or 10 years younger? Do they have to work until they are 75????

Then the jobs that would be available after all those people retire would sure help too!

[SharonAnn]

4. I'm 10 years younger than my husband. I'm covered under his retiree's coverage, the same as

the spouse of an employee. Unfortunately, though, when he retired my insurance coverage was $11 a month and it is now $350 a month from his company. And it's a Fortune 100 company.

Of course, I could work, but then I can't be here to tend to him in his illnes..

[thecrow]

2. Someone sent this to me last year during the beginning of the meltdown

Why do we need trillions to bail us out?

There are 140 million Americans over 55 who are still working.
Give them each $1 million dollars to retire now.
The job openings will skyrocket and employ the unemployed.
Unemployment solved.

Have these new retirees sell their houses and buy new homes.
Housing crises averted.

Also make these new retirees pledge to buy a new American made car with better emission standards.
GM Chrysler Ford crises averted.
And we're on our way to better air quality.
*****************************************************************************************
Now, this is not my idea so don't flame or argue the fine points of this, but it was an interesting thought.

Your mom is getting on the right track with Medicare for all.

[AwakeAtLast]

3. It is interesting

and I have seen that one, too.

Having Medicare for all could be like receiving $1,000,000. The relief would be worth it, I think.

[Jane Austin]

5. I think you're absolutely right!

And I think there would be further positions vacated by those younger than 60 who want to start their own businesses or who would like to work part time and do something entrepreneurial on the side - like building up their own bookkeeping business while still working part time for the state.

There are a million reasons why someone would vacate a full-time job with benefits if they could still have insurance with a part-time job: more sleep, time with kids, hobbies, time for fitness, cooking, volunteer work and more.

Just think of the boost to the economy if all these people were buying quilting supplies, photography equipment, motorcycles, gourmet cooking ingredients, books, camping supplies and going to movies, concerts and entering dog shows and costume contests!

All these things take time a lot of full-time workers just don't have.

I'm sure you can add more. The possibilities are endless.

[Jane Austin]

6. Hmmmm . . . my comment made me wonder if the reason big business is

so against single payer or a public option might be that if their employees - so desperate for insurance - could just leave for a less demanding job and still have insurance, well, maybe those big companies would have to treat their employees better.

How many people, when asked to achieve impossible gains in production and take a pay cut while they're at it, would just say

"Take this job and shove it!"

:) :) :)

[AwakeAtLast]

7. I think it all follows along the same line

Thanks for your reply! :hi: