What happens to employees at insurance companies should Medicare for All come into law?

[BluegrassDem]

I've never heard any of the Dem candidates asked this question nor have I heard an answer. I live in Kentucky and my spouse works for Humana. Are they automatically out of a job once Medicare for All passes? I'm talking about the plan where private insurance is killed off. Has any candidate addressed this issue?

[rurallib]

1. Don't know that anyone has addressed this specific question

I have been curious also.

I will pass on my thoughts:
First there will be some transition time - 5 years plus is my guess.
Second - there will probably be some residual privatized insurance.
third - the administrator of the medicare program will probably need workers - who better to hire than those with experience?

[thewhollytoast]

16. I believe the person to ask would be former Senator Max Baucus

After much reflection and receiving much monetary consideration from the insurance industry Max decided that single payer would be off the table. I'm sure he had a real good reason for doing so. I wonder if he will ever fess up and tell us why he killed the public option. Could it be that insurance companies like things just the way they are? Hmmm.

Toast

[Siwsan]

2. No doubt there will still be a market for 'supplemental' policies

Also no doubt some positions will be lost, within the private sector, but I'd think the market would open up, for some positions, within the Medicare end of the process.

[radical noodle]

62. I thought this new Sanders plan paid for everything

If so, why would anyone need a supplemental policy?

[Siwsan]

68. If it's Medicare for all, Medicare doesn't pay for everything

Even in countries with healthcare for all, people can buy packages for things that might go beyond the scope of what is covered by the national policy.

And, that's just my understanding of the situation. I could be completely off base.

[radical noodle]

70. That's true and what I've said all along

But this last "here's my Medicare for all plan" says there are no premiums and it pays for pretty much everything.

I get Medicare myself, so am fully aware of the differences so I can't understand why it's called Medicare for all, and why it's NOT like Medicare.

[Siwsan]

73. I'd definitely like to see someone's proposed plan

What I'd really LOVE to see is the 'for profit' aspect of health care being outlawed. Nothing screams immorality, greed and avarice like financially preying on the desperation of those in need of medical intervention, just to stay alive.

[YessirAtsaFact]

3. There will still be work to do

Claims will have to be processed, doctors paid,etc.

I suspect some of the insurance companies will transform themselves into administrative companies and be contracted to do this work.

[DURHAM D]

17. Yep. Blue Cross Blue Shield already does this for

big corps and some state governments.

[Hortensis]

86. Yes, but millions of jobs would disappear anyway.

I can't imagine that Sanders' version of MfA could come to pass, though. Too many people on both sides would refuse having it imposed on them, and not because they're employed in the industry. Our other candidates almost all have their own, less extreme versions more in tune with what the public wants -- a more inclusive ACA with preferably lower costs and, for some, a new name that isn't associated with Obama.

[bahrbearian]

4. I'm more worried about Lockheed-Martin and Boeing workers jobs if the Dems cut defense budgets.

[bahrbearian]

5. .Poor Steven Helmsley , whats he going to due if he can't grift us .

Stephen Hemsley Net Worth. The estimated Net Worth of Stephen J Hemsley is at least $550 Million dollars as of 30 November 2018. Mr. Hemsley owns over 169,683 units of UnitedHealth stock worth over $531,517,195 and over the last 2 years he sold UNH stock worth over $0.

[comradebillyboy]

6. Don't worry MFA won't happen anytime soon.

[Shell_Seas]

7. Maybe. I've heard someone (I forgot who now), talk about a transition, if there isn't a sudden jolt.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. The same thing that happened to Lamb-lighters and Buggy Whip Makers.

We need to increase the social safety net for people involved.

Still better than having 40,000 people die every year for lack of healthcare. Yes?

[CurtEastPoint]

23. Lamb Flambe?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

28. Lol. I don't want to talk about it

[BluegrassDem]

26. No need to be cold and callous

We all want healthcare for everyone. However, Humana puts food on my table and is a good job with good benefits. Attitudes like yours is what makes universal health care hard to achieve. I care about people dying from lack of insurance too. I don't think it's funny that people lose their livelihood in the process. And it's nothing to be flippant about.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

33. Sorry. I know two people who I'm certain would be alive today if not for our fucked up system.

The ACA was a good start but it’s not near enough.

One friend was probably saved by the ACA. She went several years without a colonoscopy but was able to get one when she went on ACA. They found stage three but she’s in remission.

A friend who died was disabled by what should have been a relatively minor infection. Getting on the Medicaid expansion was ok but provided the bare minimum. He ended up dying unnecessarily.


My brother, who lost his 25 year job with excellent health insurance went from seeing a doctor regularly to having healthcare he couldn’t afford to use (while putting two kids through college)and only seeing urgent care for symptoms. He dropped Dead the day after seeing urgent care for “not feeling well”


My spouse works in medical care as a provider. I’m quite certain MFA would cause us an upheaval as well.

The lives of 40,000 plus people a year is too fucking important.

[dogman]

35. My family faces this too.

A SIL works in this industry and has this concern also. If you were a coal miner, a steel worker, an auto worker, etc. you have had to adjust. I believe these companies will be contractors and boutique insurers. The government will still have to process payments. I believe trading that upset for long-term healthcare is a great deal. My daughter just went through an ordeal with an appendectomy for my grandson. They crap on their own employees when it comes to healthcare.

[radical noodle]

64. Truth

It's understandable that insurance workers and their families would worry about their livelihood.

[Clash City Rocker]

27. And oh, those poor coal farmers!

A move forward like this would take jobs from some people, but give jobs to others. I suppose the net impact would be about neutral.

[wcast]

31. You beat me to it!

While we want citizens employed, we shouldn't be focused on certain job sectors. Affordable health care, a living wage, getting rid of right to work, improving time off and maternity /paternity leave should be our focus.

[radical noodle]

63. Of course not

but why should we beat up on people who worry about their own jobs? That's short-sighted. So we make fun of coal miners, insurance workers... who else? That should get a lot of votes.

Lamb-lighters were put in prison because... well... lambs are cute and we shouldn't be lighting them.

[cilla4progress]

9. HITS THE SPOT...BEEN DEALING WITH INSURANCE ALL MORNING.

This is cruel and inhumane. I have good insurance and a not life-threatening condition. Basically financially solvent.

But I've worked on medical bankruptcies. If any of the above factors were not present, the insurance industry would cause my death.

[WeekiWater]

10. I don't think many of these insurance companies are into underemployment.

Enormous amounts of new government jobs will be created. It might even equal out as millions more will be covered.

[BluegrassDem]

20. Government jobs in D.C...not able to move there

I think the various insurance companies going out of business will definitely be impactful in various cities and states. Humana is one of Kentucky's largest employers. If it goes under, I shudder to think what would happen here. I just don't understand why we have to hurt people in the process? Can't we have guaranteed insurance for everyone without causing massive job losses in areas? Yes, Medicare might start hiring people in DC or somewhere, but that won't help my family.

[WeekiWater]

22. Not sure why you think they would all be in DC. That wouldn't even be possible...

and isn't how government employment works.

[Clash City Rocker]

29. There are government jobs all over the country

People all over the country work for Medicare. There’s a decent chance that jobs would be available in Kentucky.

[DBoon]

32. Federal government contracts out lots of things

and you don't need to be in DC to get the work

[tkmorris]

56. I'm sorry, but that's a TERRIBLE reason to keep the status quo

Change is disruptive, always, and systemic change of the sort being discussed here will be especially so. However the things which make it necessary are compelling, as I'm sure you can admit. Will people whose lives are intertwined with the fortunes of insurance companies be impacted? Of course they will, but good governance is always about doing the most good for the most people and the math is inescapable here.

I would suggest you prepare for the inevitable. Change is coming, the only thing you can do is be ready for it.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

11. They can work for the government/Medicare

If all claims are now going to go through Medicare, then there will be more jobs there.

Probably better benefits, then, too.

[Fresh_Start]

12. there is not enough support for medicare for all to come into law

there is more support for medicare buy-in with retention of private insurance and that is from consumers. I'm sure there is even less support for medicare for all from the supplier side.

[doc03]

13. They could get a job laundering money for

Trump. Seriously the insurance lobby will never let it happen.

[DURHAM D]

14. Given that Medicare is not particularly great coverage (80/20)

and doesn't cover meds I assume the insurance companies will develop a whole new line of products to plug the holes. Sadly, they will be very busy and do just fine while still being up in our business about healthcare decisions.

[patricia92243]

75. does cover meds.

[DURHAM D]

85. What does?

Medicare does not. Medicare Advantage does some. Medicare Advantage is private insurance.

[area51]

15. I believe this is addressed in both the house and senate bills

Here's a link to info from PNHP.

[Maru Kitteh]

18. "They can cover nose jobs" is about the dumbest, and vague answers ever given

It shows an absolute lack of preparedness OR seriousness OR thoughtfulness about how STUPID comments like that will be used against us in the fight ahead.

[Indygram]

19. There is a far better option than Medicare for All

There is something that could be done almost immediately that would fix all of the health care problems at once without destroying private insurance. In fact, it would make private insurance more competitive. Here is what I would do:

Allow people to purchase either Medicaid or Medicare with pricing based on income.

People age 50 or older can buy Medicare with no deductibles at all. The premium and co-pays would be based on income.

People under age 50 can buy Medicaid with no deductibles, premium and co-pays based on income.

Provide tax breaks and incentives to providers to encourage them to accept patients. Let private insurance companies sell whatever they want wherever they want. With a public option private insurers will be forced to be more competitive and offer better deals through employers again, like they used to.

Because Medicaid and Medicare already exist it would be as simple as giving incentives to providers and coming up with a sliding fee scale to use. Since this would not be "free" and people would be paying what they can afford it would not have a terrifying price tag and there would be widespread support. It's all in how you sell it.

[dogman]

30. Hard to sell if the customer has no money for it.

You are still subsidizing health insurance when people need health care. M4A is healthcare, no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles. Health insurance is primarily a non-productive drain on the economy. They are skimming healthcare costs.

[Indygram]

36. What part of based on income did you miss?

If it's based on income then those who don't have income would have a cost of $0. If they can only afford $5 a month premium and $1 co-pay then that would be what they pay...with NO deductibles. If someone can afford $100 a month and a $25 co-pay for visits and $10 for prescriptions, than that would be what they pay, etc.

Private insurers could offer employer based options that would have to be more competitive, more employees could afford it and would buy it and all those people working in the insurance industry would not be thrown to the wolves and become unemployed.

[dogman]

37. Someone else is telling you what you can afford.

An insurance company is still skimming your healthcare dollar and telling your providers what they can do for you. I have transitioned from a private plan to a cobra plan to Medicare. Anything that does not change this system is no fix.

[Indygram]

39. Did you miss the let people buy "Medicare or Medicaid" part?

Your reply doesn't make any logical sense at all. If anyone is free to buy either Medicaid or Medicare based on their income as a public option then private insurance will be forced to offer options that can compete with that or they won't get any business.

What I suggest could be passed in a bipartisan way if approached the correct way. Single payer medicare for all would NEVER pass unless Democrats have full control of the government and then the backlash and anger from the fallout will put Republicans back in power again and they would just do the same thing they have done with Obamacare. In the meantime, people suffer and die.

The process could be started almost immediately for what I am suggesting.

[mr_lebowski]

51. Have you considered how incredibly complicated it is reckoning with any degree of accuracy what

$$$ amount 'people can afford to pay'?

I'm referring here to an earlier post of yours, to be clear.

"Income" doesn't always directly translate to "what one can afford", iow.

And particularly in today's job market, with so many people switching jobs, and many people having many various sources of income?

Then there's the fact that there's 370,000,000 people ... the sheer scale you're talking about properly "tracking" would be astonishing, and highly volatile.

Truly calculating 'what someone can afford to pay' is almost infinitely complex, and would involve a degree of digging into people's personal financial habits to a degree probably most would be uncomfortable with.

And then you'll have the couple earning $150K/year which sounds like good money, but they're deep in debt, living in a big city, and have two 2 kids in college, and the youngest is a promising Cellist (or whatever) that they're paying for private lessons for, so they really feel like they're as broke as some single HS dropout working at McDonalds ... And they think 'why does that person get free healthcare but we have to pay $3000/mo for our family? Just because we technically make 'good money? We're still broke! That's not fair!" ... and the like.

IOW, what seems like a 'simple solution' ... is often really not.

To be clear, I'm definitely 'for' a public option of some kind ... I just don't know that there's going to be a simple implementation possible.

[radical noodle]

71. It's done all the time

for housing and other things. It's not that complicated. I've actually done it for housing income/rent calculations. One simple page at the time I did it a few years ago.

[zipplewrath]

21. Several things

Some willl generate "Medicare Advantage" plans.
Some will become claims processing companies for Medicare.
Some will sell various "supplemental" policies.
Some will buy hospital "networks" and manage them and get Medicare contracts.

Some will find legitimate work

[bernie59]

49. Correct answer!

Much of the work done by private insurance companies will have to be done by someone. Many people do not understand that Medicare and private insurance have a lot in common when it comes to rules, accounting, audits, etc.

[LongtimeAZDem]

58. "legitimate work"? That a BS insult to a lot of honest, hard-working people

[zipplewrath]

60. A joke

It was a bit of tongue in check joke. Sorry it fell flat. Probably shoulda put a sarcasm tag on it. I did put the emoji on it to try to express the humorous intent.

[sfwriter]

66. Truth

[CarlitosMMT]

24. MFA is deflationary and is an offset

Yes they would be laid off and unemployed subject to market forces without a transitional Job Guarantee in place.
MFA would be a massive deflationary event. It will cause trillions in financial losses around globe.
The tax increases or fees or other cuts proposed to ostensibly pay for or offset the new federal health spending costs would only make the deflationary impact worse.
Adding to the deflationary bias is the removal of health care as a marginal cost of production and employment, making everything produced in the US less expensive to make or provide.
All of that is upfront if there is no phase in period.
On the back end consumers will have more income to spend on other things besides healthcare, but that will take time to materialize and change spending habits.
And it’s not enough to overcome the deflationary forces at work.
So instead of doing offsets, we need to look at MFA as an offset itself and accompany it with a tax cut and a transition job proposal along the lines of the JG supported by progressives.
There are very few people pointing out what I’m saying.

[Doodley]

25. What do you think happens in other developed nations? Your question

seems to pre-suppose that everyone should be paying for unnecessary third-parties that do nothing to actually help provide health care that compares in cost and outcomes with other nations.

[Kaleva]

34. Medicare covers just 80% of costs so there'll be a need for supplemental insurance

[Voltaire2]

40. MFA covers 100%. But it won't cover things like private rooms.

So yes there would still be supplemental insurance.

[Demsrule86]

42. Huge taxes and supplemental insurance count me out.

[George II]

46. Who will offer the supplemental insurance if the insurance companies are done away with?

[customerserviceguy]

38. Any new system will need bureaucrats

Former insurance company workers will have useful resumes when it comes to applying for them.

[George II]

41. I've only heard of one candidate saying he/she would do away with the private insurance companies...

...(wonder how that would happen, anyway).

There are roughly 3 million people employed in the healthcare insurance industry - that means roughly 1 of every 50 people employed in the United States will lose their jobs.

[Demsrule86]

43. MFA is a pipe dream...it will never happen. I doubt there will be 50 votes for it.

[George II]

45. A watered down version of the same bill (if it's a bill, seems like only a concept)....

....was introduced in September 2017, the "Medicare for All Act of 2017". Here are all actions that occurred on that bill:

All Actions:

09/13/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1804/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs

[Demsrule86]

69. That is it.waste of time

[Politicub]

44. The insurance lobby is powerful. I'm sure it will get its cut of the action.

So, don’t worry, BluegrassDem. Humana will be well taken care of. It’s the American way.

[Baltimike]

47. What happens to Victrola makers when we started making albums? nt

[Blue_true]

48. If something like Medicare for All become a reality, I view insurance companies

offering addon medical insurance, similar to what is happening with Medicare. I also envision them offering and managing prescription plans, like now with Medicare. I think MfA removes a lot of the downside risks for them, so they adapt and actually become more profitable. Now medical insurance industry workers? I expect many to be downsized, this is why I think MfA is somewhat of a non starter. A better plan is to offer Medicare buyin for people that need that and set premiums like the ACA does, with assistance for those that need it.

[BluegrassDem]

50. I agree...insurance workers are not like coal miners

Coal was already dying naturally and not many miners are left, and what's left is in a small area of the country. Insurance companies employ millions in practically every state. I just can't imagine a politician getting votes for saying he's going to pass a bill to end your job. That's a LOT of votes. MFA with no private insurance option won't get near 50 votes.

[tymorial]

52. I won't back any plan that does not specifically address this point

Transition services to government jobs, retraining prorgrams etc. There must be something. Because each state has it's own insurance rules and providers EVERY state will be effected.

[jberryhill]

53. Just call them on the phone...

...and tell them to wait for the next available representative to assist them. Fuckers.

[Blue_true]

55. Are you talking about insurance company workers?

Is it their fault that their employers don't hire enough of them or provide the resources for them to serve customers quickly?

There are many millions of Americans that rely on health insurance work for their livelihoods. Those people aren't just going to roll over when a threat to their livelihoods pop up.

I really think that MFA the way Bernie is pushing it is DOA, but such a end is typical for things that Bernie push, he knows only one gear it seems, all or nothing.

[wasupaloopa]

54. Nobody can tell you how Medicare for all works. It sure isn't free health care. And we sure

as hell are not going to dump our insurance based market place.

People are voting for an idea that has no specifics.

[brooklynite]

57. Why would private insurance be killed off?

What if I want premium services? Or better coverage than Medicare allows?

[workinclasszero]

59. They find a new job that doesn't entail

letting people die of sickness or accident because of lack of money?

What happened to the horse and buggy industry? What happened to the millions displaced by computers?

Whatever job they will find will have full health care coverage from M4A though.

[radical noodle]

61. I've wondered about that too

although I don't have relatives who work in the industry. It's worrying.

[patricia92243]

65. My medicare still goes through an insurance company - United Health Care/

So, I guess nothing would happen to the employees. Somebody has to administer it.

[radical noodle]

72. Isn't that your supplemental?

[patricia92243]

74. No. I do not have supplimental. My husband uses Humana and I use

United. They are all heavily advertised at sign up time.

[radical noodle]

83. Oh, I bet it's Medicare Advantage then

because normal Medicare is through the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

[BlueFlorida]

67. Medicare for All is politically suicidal

It is Bernie's stunt - just like Trump's wall.

The bill in its present form will never pass either house.

Better bills are one supported by Beto "Medicare for America" and by Mayor Pete "Medicare for those who want it."

They are both extensions of the ACA by creating Medicare as a public option. One of those versions is likely to pass.

[Botany]

76. Anyone of those people ever help me w/my $700 per month health insurance bill?

n/t

[KPN]

77. That's what universal unemployment

insurance is for.

Nah, just kidding. I’ve wondered the same thing. I haven’t seen it addressed. I would think there would be some level of mitigation built into whatever the ultimate solution becomes. But I personally don’t see Medicare for All becoming reality real soon.

I do think it’s a goal worth pursuing and am glad some of our candidates are campaigning on it. It needs to be very really in the discussion, not just peripherally or it will be off-the-table from the outset when we do capture the WH and Senate.

[jberryhill]

78. What happens to employees at assault rifle companies if we ban assault rifles?

[Freethinker65]

79. Gradual optional Medicare buy ins is the way to go. Private insurance for supplemental policies.

Assisted living, home healthcare, Long term care policies. Prescription benefit policies. Perhaps boutique policies for the very wealthy?

Health Insurance companies will gradually change what they provide. This will take years.

The job loss argument is always potentially there when things change. What happened to those that made VCR and VCR tapes and the rental places? How many brick and mortar travel agencies are currently in your neighborhood? Do you still have a landline?

I see the transition to something like Medicare for all as gradual.

[duforsure]

80. If increased in size, Medicare would be greatly expanded

Needing many more people , so some would switch over to them also, but not nearly all of them because Medicare is much better run,and at lower costs.

[MineralMan]

81. Will there be no administrative jobs created by MfA?

Just about the last thing that concerns me about any single-payer system is the jobs lost at insurance companies.

There will be jobs lost, because now there are complete administrative systems set up for each insurance company. Duplication of jobs is part of the reason for the excess cost. Many of those workers will shift to related jobs in MfA and other parts of the healthcare system. I'll be happy to see the executive jobs at those insurance companies go away, though. Bye!

[guillaumeb]

82. What has already happened to many coal miners?

And factory workers?

Yes, it is a personal consideration for you, and for many others, but the US healthcare system is a failure. SO do we continue as a country to travel in the wring direction, or do we recognize the failure and follow the lead of all of the countries with a better system?

[bitterross]

84. The majority of tasks/jobs will STILL be required.

The answer to your question is simple. Just because the method of payment changes for a system does not mean the people who support the system are no longer needed.

Every job of almost every person is still required. There will still be claims people, claims administrators, etc.

People filling these roles now will still have roles in the future. It's just their corporate bosses who will be eliminated because they serve no purpose in providing health care. They only take money off the top.

[Jakes Progress]

87. And what about all the poor gun builders if we pass gun laws?

And what about all the tobacco farmers? And people who make labels for opiod bottles?

Yes. All of that is a little harsh. But there is truth in each. Gun builders can make gears and machine parts. Tobacco farmers can grow other products. And label makers can .... well you get the idea.

There are lots of insurance products. If your product is not good for the country, you need to find another thing to make. Right now, a good insurance employee can be a benefit to people by providing policies that lower costs and are more transparent, that don't rip people off or screw them over. Right now, corporate insurance is how things are done. If there is way to serve sick people more efficiently and for less cost, those people will need to adapt, just as coal miner and buggy whip people did.

Depending on what you do for the insurance company (filing, selling, rating, collecting), you will just have to work for another branch of the company. Homeowner's, Automobile, Flood. If electric cars become the norm, are you willing to continue to force people to buy and use polluting vehicles so that the refinery workers can keep their jobs?