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eridani

(51,907 posts)
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 12:42 AM Jul 2014

Retired Republican insurance exec comes out in favor of single payer

http://members.jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2014-06-30/story/guest-column-support-medicare-all

My party, the GOP, is running for election this year on the slogan “repeal and replace Obamacare.”

I agree, but the question is “what will be the replacement?” My answer is Medicare for all.

From a moral standpoint, due to expansion of access to health care, the Affordable Care Act is clearly better than what we had previously. The Medicaid expansion provision, which unfortunately was made voluntary by a politicized Supreme Court, does a lot to help very low-income people who cannot afford insurance premiums.

On the other hand, of the 8 million who signed up for Obamacare nationally through the exchanges, many just switched from existing “limited” insurance policies.

In Georgia (my home), 22 percent of the population (one of the highest rates nationally) was uninsured before Obamacare.

Even if all 8 million had been uninsured, tens of millions are still without insurance and will be for the near future. This fact is especially true in red states like ours that have inexplicably chosen to turn back federal money to expand Medicaid, a purely political decision.

Further, because the Affordable Care Act is built on the defective private insurance model, it will never be very effective or efficient.

And with no Affordable Care Act public option, insurance companies will take advantage of consumers. For example, in the Albany, Ga., area, there is only one insurance company available via the exchange, Blue Cross. Incredibly, rates there are higher than they are in Beverly Hills, Calif.

<snip>

So why do I want to see more government involvement in our health insurance system via Medicare expansion to everyone? Because as opposed to many government programs, Medicare works well. Based on their experience, taxpayers (especially senior citizens like me), like Medicare.

And it is efficient, cutting out marketing and overhead expenses. Medicare has overhead expenses of only 3 percent compared to 20 percent-plus for private insurance companies.

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Retired Republican insurance exec comes out in favor of single payer (Original Post) eridani Jul 2014 OP
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #1
and what intelligent insurer would not prefer to only insure the 20% that medicare SoCalDem Jul 2014 #2
Two-thirds of Americans want Medicare for All MannyGoldstein Jul 2014 #3
as we've been repeatedly told here, the people's purpose is to serve and support the politicians MisterP Jul 2014 #4
If elected Democrats don't get it done laundry_queen Jul 2014 #20
Well, Nixon did start the EPA MannyGoldstein Jul 2014 #21
+ 1,000,000 if a political party cannot take two-thirds of Americans and turn that into something .. slipslidingaway Jul 2014 #24
DU Rec. Tuesday Afternoon Jul 2014 #5
K&R. Hope to see more support after the *horror* of theACA covering the *poor* wears off! freshwest Jul 2014 #6
I bet he couldn't say this if he were still working... Gloria in NM Jul 2014 #7
True. Same goes for Wendell Potter et al eridani Jul 2014 #13
Can't be. We're a center right nation. Just ask any politician merrily Jul 2014 #8
I remember the attacks in 1993. SleeplessinSoCal Jul 2014 #9
Fine, but don't go voting (R) on the assumption that what they merrily Jul 2014 #10
At the state level, what we need to pass single payer is eridani Jul 2014 #15
In my state, all you would need are Democrats. merrily Jul 2014 #16
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Jul 2014 #11
but...your friends and neighbors need those insurance jobs Doctor_J Jul 2014 #12
Most would still have them. But, they would be Medicare jobs, not merrily Jul 2014 #17
By that logic, we should never decriminalize drugs eridani Jul 2014 #18
and all the local law enforcement jobs and all the DEA jobs. merrily Jul 2014 #19
Good. Let's keep this momentum going. nt conservaphobe Jul 2014 #14
Some of us have been TBF Jul 2014 #22
This is what needs to be done. Faryn Balyncd Jul 2014 #23

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
2. and what intelligent insurer would not prefer to only insure the 20% that medicare
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 12:51 AM
Jul 2014

does not cover?

Insurers did themselves a disservice when they fiddled with the ACA.. they put themselves on the hook for paying out the lion's share..

The Boomers (who are getting OUT) are probably the last generation who will have "good" coverage. and as more and more younger folks are part time or low pay or self employed contractors, they will be choosing the cheapest coverage they can get..

Having everyone in medicare and every one needing supplementals, that seems to be the best way for insurers..

 

MannyGoldstein

(34,589 posts)
3. Two-thirds of Americans want Medicare for All
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 12:53 AM
Jul 2014

Including most Republicans.

As I keep saying, with backing like that, if elected Democrats don't get it done then they either don't want it or they suck as politicians.

MisterP

(23,730 posts)
4. as we've been repeatedly told here, the people's purpose is to serve and support the politicians
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 01:21 AM
Jul 2014

if they screw us over it's only because we failed to give them the entire Senate and House and White House and Duma and two Parliaments

again we turn to Brecht,
the people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)
20. If elected Democrats don't get it done
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 05:22 PM
Jul 2014

Republicans will. You watch. They aren't above totally going back and rewriting history to get votes. They know this is a winning strategy because it's what most people want - as you said, even Republicans. They'll name it something like "FreedomCare" and insist it's not socialized medicine (even though it is).

If there's anything the Republicans are really good at, it's jumping at the opportunities that Democrats miss.

slipslidingaway

(21,210 posts)
24. + 1,000,000 if a political party cannot take two-thirds of Americans and turn that into something ..
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:49 AM
Jul 2014

then they do not want it or suck. Actually it takes more energy to turn the tide and keep the for profit companies front and center

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
5. DU Rec.
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:06 AM
Jul 2014

Smart man and morals to boot.

From a moral standpoint,



one reason it is the smart thing to is because it is the right thing to do.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
6. K&R. Hope to see more support after the *horror* of theACA covering the *poor* wears off!
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:45 AM
Jul 2014

The repealers have swallowed a bitter pill with people they want to FOAD getting health care from the ACA. Now let's give the rest of their medicine. Open wide now, this won't hurt anything but your ego.

Gloria in NM

(9 posts)
7. I bet he couldn't say this if he were still working...
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 03:15 AM
Jul 2014

Regardless, it IS refreshing to see SOME intelligent discussion of this from a Republican...

eridani

(51,907 posts)
13. True. Same goes for Wendell Potter et al
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:20 PM
Jul 2014

And it's mainly retired cops in Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, but that's starting to change.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
8. Can't be. We're a center right nation. Just ask any politician
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 03:43 AM
Jul 2014

of either of the two largest political parties, any Republican (here, I mean those who actually admit to being Republican), and a significant number of DUers.

Now for reality:

Both of the two largest political parties were invested in discrediting the term "liberal," even though it's a word with a lovely meaning. (They've also messed up the meaning of the word "reform," as in "welfare reform," entitlement "reform" etc.. However, "reform," too, once meant good things, so please disregard their cynical use of "reform" as you read the following definition of "liberal:"

1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

2. ( often initial capital letter ) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.


3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.

4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.


5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal

And then, they broadened the definition of liberal to include everyone left of Bill "I want repeal of Glass Steagall on my desk ASAP" Clinton,* thereby making any slightly leftist person the object of scorn.

The actual definition of liberal tempts me to become one, but I've been a traditional Democrat since before I entered kindergarten and old habits die hard, I guess.

*Same guy as Bill "yeayyyy, we've just ended welfare as we know it," Clinton and Bill "Sure, I'll sign DOMA" Clinton and Bill "free trade" Clinton.

SleeplessinSoCal

(8,950 posts)
9. I remember the attacks in 1993.
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 03:53 AM
Jul 2014

It's so easy to politicize and not easy wrangling 50 states. The most boisterous want NO govt involvement in healthcare at all - including Medicare. And I don't quite trust this person making an honest effort. It would be easy to let the ACA go and get nothing in return. In fact, actually lose what was gained - like preexisting conditions.

So many market capitalists, so few doctors and nurses.

Keep an eye on Vermont. http://vermontforsinglepayer.org/why_single_payer_in_vermont

merrily

(45,251 posts)
10. Fine, but don't go voting (R) on the assumption that what they
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 03:53 AM
Jul 2014

all have in mind when they call for repeal of Obamacare umpteen times in attempts to rabble rouse their base is single payer.

As for Mr. Bernard, thanks, every voice helps. Wish you had spoken up before Obamacare got passed. But, it's not too late. Please write more and more guest editorials.

MEDICARE FOR ALL.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
15. At the state level, what we need to pass single payer is
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:23 PM
Jul 2014

--the support of wavering Democrats (in addition to current hardcore sponsors) plus a few "Rotary Republicans." That is those who know something about running a business and how single payer could help them. The ideological whackjobs are sociopaths beyond redemption.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
16. In my state, all you would need are Democrats.
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:32 PM
Jul 2014

I live in Massachusetts. The legislature has been over 90% Dem for a long time.

But, they seem content with Romneycare, which apparently has to become Obamacare because Obama did not give his friend and campaign co-chair a waiver. At least, I think that's what's happening. I didn't follow it very closely because it doesn't affect me. Not that I follow only what affects me, but the health care statutes make my eyelashes hurt.

They could be boiled down to three words: Medicare for All.

But, noooooooooo.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
11. Kicked and recommended!
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 07:31 AM
Jul 2014

Let's get on with it.

We already know the only solution is Medicare for All. Even a fucking Republican can see that.

The longer we wait, the longer we prolong suffering and the longer we continue to reward these undeserving bandit-like insurance companies.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
12. but...your friends and neighbors need those insurance jobs
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 08:52 AM
Jul 2014

So says the president.

Kr for the truth. Sorry we had to hear it from a republican.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
17. Most would still have them. But, they would be Medicare jobs, not
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 02:36 PM
Jul 2014

private health insurer jobs. And the transition could be slow, to give people who would be redundant in the government system enough time to find other work, retrain, etc. The government could even retrain them.

I didn't know he said that. Incredibly lame. People bought it? Really?

merrily

(45,251 posts)
19. and all the local law enforcement jobs and all the DEA jobs.
Sat Jul 5, 2014, 04:12 PM
Jul 2014

Not to mention all the drug lord positions.

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