WHY CANT Medicare For All be just that: Medicare (as it is now) For All

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

Are any of the candidates explicitly proposing this?

When I first heard Bernie and Thom Hartmann talk about it years ago they referred to it as "Medicare for All" and that's how they framed it. Just take existing Medicare and expand the age range. I remember them specifically saying that people who wanted all the bells and whistles could buy supplemental plans, and that a benefit of that approach is that simply expanding an already hugely popular and trusted program would be a MUCH easier sell than scrapping it all and starting from scratch and

Of course the deductibles and things like lack of dental coverage would be a stretch for many people, but Im of the opinion - lets just get this thing going and then do the tweaking later.

[ehrnst]

1. Because part of the current funding mechanism of Medicare is that the entire working population

pays in, while only a smaller group is eligible to use it.

If it was that simple, don't you think it would have been proposed before now?

Also, Red states were able to get 2010 SCOTUS to strike down the mandate that states expand Medicaid as per the ACA. How do you think that a 2022 SCOTUS with Gorsuch and Kavanaugh is going to rule on states being required to expand Medicare?

[Tweedy]

6. It would pass muster at the Supreme Court

Even as Medicare did before it. Medicare, as we all know, is funded through a federal tax. Medicaid is not.

It would work; problems would remain, though.

[squirecam]

14. You start by allowing Medicare to be bought by those at 55.

And work down from there. But they would have to have premiums to make it work.

[ehrnst]

17. Yes, that was on HRC's agenda, and Warren's as well.

They would buy in at a higher rate than if they waited 10 years, but at a lower rate than most employer subsidized plans.

[karynnj]

16. Nice answer, but the mandate was that you paid a fine if you did not buy acceptable health care

The Supreme Court upheld the mandate calling it a tax. Congress has the power to enact taxes. The Trump administration set the fine to zero essentially eliminating it. The Supreme Court did rule that Congress could not force states to expand Medicaid.

[ehrnst]

18. I was using the term "mandate" in the sense of "requirement."

[Mr.Bill]

2. My wife and I are both on Medicare.

We have Part D for our prescriptions and a supplemental for what parts A and B don't cover.

It's costing us nearly $700 a month. There is no sliding scale for low income. It wouldn't work for everyone with those numbers. It's a stretch for us at our income level. Sure, it's a better deal than we can get anywhere else, but it ain't no freebee. Now many here may be aware of that, but I have met many who think it's free or substantially cheaper than it is.

[bluedye33139]

3. Most Medicare for All plans resemble Medicaid more than Medicare

I think that the out-of-pocket cost s for Medicare would destroy most poor families and would lead to people not getting medical care because they don't have a few hundred dollars in their pocket. It would be a disaster.

My personal hope is that we can create a robust public option and have expanded Medicaid. I don't think that America is in the mood right now for single-payer.

[lynintenn]

10. We pay pay close to. $800. for 2 of us. Medicare is automatically deducted from our SS check.

We have a supplemental part D that goes up every year with age. I have a drug plan but 2 of my drugs cost about $100. out of pocket. A friend takes a medication for DM2 that is $400. a month. so she barely makes ends meet each month. In Tennessee, low-income people can apply for assistance for premiums and deductibles but the requirements make it hard for most people to meet.

[Tweedy]

4. It could be

Last edited Thu Feb 27, 2020, 11:15 PM - Edit history (1)

FYI Obamacare included an over 50+ buy in before Senator Lieberman balked at it. Joe Biden's plan allows buy in for all and puts kids in automatically.

Just allowing 50+ to buy into Medicare lowers below 50 costs. Medicare is administered more cheaply than anything else out there.

For my part, I prefer Elizabeth Warren's plan. It would really turn things around for the better. Yet, Joe Biden's plan is solid, would help and is more in line with your suggestion.

[Demsrule86]

7. FYI...Biden's plan allows anyone to buy into Medicare.

[Tweedy]

11. You are right

Sorry. Obamacare originally had the over 50 buy in.

Will edit my response and own my error.

[Demsrule86]

5. because it sucks...and would cost families a fortune...and only covers 80% and is more

expensive than my insurance.

[Mariana]

8. They'd have to raise the Medicare tax rate to cover everyone

if it was really going to be Medicare (as it is now) for All. Of course, we wouldn't be paying premiums for private insurance anymore, except perhaps for supplemental policies that don't cost nearly as much.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Medicare as it is now pays 80% of covered costs. And pay a monthly premium for Part B.

[delisen]

12. Medicare has costs to the beneficiary-one cost is the annual premium.

There are costs which must be paid by beneficiaries. There is an annual premium which is roughly $1440.this year (premium just went up for 2020.) per individual. Many Medicare beneficiaries do not fully understand that they are paying this amount because they have it deducted from their social security checks and never see that money.

Medicare is based on individual-not families. I don't know what a family of 4 or 6 would be paying for a premium. Would it be 6x $1440? or would all premiums be ended.

I think Medicare For All was adopted as a marketing slogan because the marketing people figured it would go over better than Single Payer. It actually just seems to muddy the waters.

[OliverQ]

13. I would like a system like Switzerland or France.

Universal mandatory public coverage for all Americans, but you have the option to get separate private insurance if you can afford it and want more specialized care.

[Gravitycollapse]

15. This is what happens with Medicare.

You have the option of buying supplementary insurance.