Why Bernie Sanders' single-payer push is great policy and even better politics

[left-of-center2012]

Bernie Sanders unveiled his latest version of a Medicare-for-all plan on Wednesday, to a highly unusual level of media attention and support within the Democratic Party.

A third of the party's Senate caucus have come out as co-sponsors — although, unsurprisingly, neither Chuck Schumer nor Nancy Pelosi are backing it yet — and it looks likely that more will sign on soon.

The plan is extremely generous — indeed, much more so than many peer countries. But that only makes it great policy and better politics.

So first, the details: The plan would be phased in over a period of four years. In the first year, traditional Medicare would be expanded to cover dental, vision, and hearing aids, as well as people over 55 or under 18, while others would be able to buy in if they wish.
In the second year, the age qualification would be lowered to 45, in the third year to 35, and then in the fourth year, everyone remaining would be included.

This upgraded version of Medicare would also be a lot more generous in terms of access. There would be no cost-sharing, except for prescription drugs. It is, as Paul Waldman argues, probably best understood as an opening bid — a symbolic maximal demand rather than the usual pre-compromised Democratic fare ...

Sanders later released a sketch of a financing plan, which lays out several options to reduce costs and raise revenue, though it does not decide which is best. A more detailed discussion will inevitably have to be part of any Medicare-for-all bill.

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Fear of change and knee-jerk moderation is the thinking that made American health care such a disaster in the first place. But at some point America is going to have to rip off this band-aid.
BernieCare is an excellent starting point.


Read more at:
http://theweek.com/articles/724334/why-bernie-sanders-singlepayer-push-great-policy-even-better-politics

[Lunabell]

1. We really need this.

I can't even afford Obama care.

[left-of-center2012]

4. "I can't even afford Obama care"

I'm 71 and on Medicare, so not in/on Obamacare.

But I had an Uber driver tell me he pays $1,000 a month for himself, his wife, and two children.

[Lunabell]

6. I live in Florida

So, that will tell you all you need to know. Prick Scott is governor.

[white_wolf]

13. I don't want to lose Obamacare because it would hurt a lot of people, BUT

it does NOT help me any. I currently make too much for Medicaid, but I'm in a precarious position where even with subsidies I can't afford the extra $150 a month. Hopefully, my income situation will improve so I can get health insurance. Again, I don't want the ACA repealed, but it, honestly, hasn't helped me.

[leftstreet]

2. DURec

[dae]

3. K & R

[SMC22307]

5. If I can get Medicare at 55...

I'll retire earlier than currently planned, opening up a position for someone else. I hope like hell it passes at some point!

[left-of-center2012]

8. You'll still need an income

Or money to live on.

[SMC22307]

9. No kidding?!

[left-of-center2012]

14. Nope

Not kidding

[Sluggeaux]

17. Sounds like we're in silimar boats here.

My current retirement plan is 65. A significant part of that focus is unemployed healthcare costs.

With savings, and company-incentive stocks that I've built up over the years combined with having my home paid off, and no auto loans since my first car back in 1986, I could pretty easily retire at 55, or at the very least go independent consultant with a much more laxed work schedule.

Going without insurance at all, and potentially losing everything I've worked my entire adult life for in one bad timed illness, or accident isn't an option, and the cost of 55-65 insurance is so absurd. Even with the ACA, a plan still costs 3x as much for older/pre-medicare applicants than younger ones.

I imagine the 2 of us are not alone in this boat. Would open up a lot of higher end jobs to the younger market a decade or more earlier.

[SMC22307]

18. Very similar boats...

only I do have a car payment and plan to have it paid off within two years. Older co-workers and I have been discussing retirement, healthcare costs, etc. quite a bit lately and we all love the idea of Medicare at 55.

[mythology]

19. Except that is precisely backward

Older workers staying employed has a positive impact in terms of lowering unemployment and higher wages. People who retire cut back on spending, without reducing the the number of people.

http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/reports/economic_mobility/empretirementdelaypdf.pdf

[SMC22307]

21. I don't need pewtrusts.org to tell me what will work for me.

If other older workers wish to continue working, God bless 'em. But I'm getting to the point where I'm ready for at least partial retirement, with full not too far behind. Spending has already been cut in many areas -- home is paid for, have enough furniture, don't need the latest fashions or $1,000 phone, cut the cable cord, etc. Spending increases will occur in other areas, like travel.

[Nevernose]

7. This is an important issue to me

I hope there are enough committed lefties in congress to keep up the push for a fight that's been going on for seventy years and will likely go on a few more decades.

[zentrum]

10. Yup. Now is the window

...of opportunity. Dems need to drive a truck through it.

[BigmanPigman]

11. For the next two weeks we need to fight to keep the ACA! It is going to be repealed!!!!

We must call Congress and not stop...this is NOT the time to do this, I am going to be bankrupt and die in severe pain OI am seriois) without it! CALL, CALL, CALL Congress [phone]

The GOP has been buying votes and doing it behind doors all summer while we (not me...I have too much at stake to trust any of these bastards for a second) have been thinking we have won the battle.

McCain and Collins have been bought... they have the votes to repeal it before the calendar expires in two weeks. We have to fight this battle NOW...please call!

[Darkhawk32]

12. I agree wholeheartedly.........

And if it IS repealed, the push toward single-payer gets an adrenaline rush.

Now trust me, I don't want ACA repealed but I am pointing out the damage that will happen to the GOP if it is repealed.

[Sluggeaux]

15. Has McConnell or any Republicans signed on?

Sounds like yet another GREAT bill to push for, and agree about it being great policy, but I'm missing the part about it being even better politics? The last paragraph only addresses "centrist liberals", and their historic reasons for opposing sweeping legislation of this nature, but completely ignores the real road block. How is this great politics in a Senate with McConnell at the head and Republican majority, not to mention a president that is likely to veto it even if we could get McConnell to allow it to come to vote and the few Republican votes it ould need. Then there's the Republican majority the house that would need to be overcome as well.

Love the bill, but I can't imagine any roll call vote that would pass it with this Congressional session.

Is there a list of 2018/2020 cycle seats that nay votes on this bill will put in play if it could be put on the floor?

[PatrickforO]

16. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's make it happen, people!

Great policy, great politics.

[mythology]

20. Good policy needs to be explicit about funding

He has a "sketch" of a funding plan. Considering his plan in the primaries initially claimed it would save over $320 billion on brand name drugs with the current estimate of spending $240 billion on those drugs, meaning they invented $80 billion dollars of savings that couldn't exist.

Something as big as universal health care needs a responsible approach. Sanders hasn't brought that. To be fair, neither have Republicans. Until I see how he intends to pay for this exceptionally generous plan, it's hard for me to take it seriously. There's a reason that they saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" exists.