and I hope to read many more!
First of all, I shouldn't have used the term "Medicare for All" because our version of it (or let's also call it universal healthcare) bears little resemblance to the U.S. version of medicare.
The public option may well be the better way of getting to universal healthcare.
The island of Taiwan, several years ago, did an in-depth study of universal healthcare in several developed countries. It took the best from each and developed its own unique healthcare system which is, apparently, extremely popular and successful.
I realize that there are many folks who seem to be quite content with their employer-based healthcare plans. However, as I learned over the years from fellow breast cancer patients on a dedicated website forum, many of them still had to fight with their docs (or their docs had to fight with the insurance providers) to ensure they got the treatments and meds that were necessary to their survival. I still have friends from that website who are struggling. Not surprising, when stats show that 67% of American bankruptcies are caused by healthcare expenses.
Some of you have sited "freedom" to choose. Universal healthcare -- where every single taxpayer pays into it -- ensures freedom for everyone. Just imagine having your paycheque increased because your employer isn't deducting what it pays to the insurance company. Just imagine having no lifetime cap, or not having co-pays, or having your insurance company issue a rejection, expecting you'll either accept it, or fight it -- major stress!
For anyone who still thinks that "government" rules your healthcare in a universal system, I can assure you that my doctor and I govern my healthcare. I can go to any doctor I want; I can be referred to any specialist I desire; I can choose which hospital to go to. In my case, living in a town of under 20,000, there are 12 family docs. I wait at most 24 hours for an appt. If I have a life-threatening illness, I move to the head of the line for diagnosis and treatment.
That's what I call the "freedom" that some of you are so afraid of losing.
Why not urge your Reps and Senators to do what Taiwan did, and actually study what works in other countries? This might sound mean, but I can only assume that this won't ever happen, because -- The U.S. is the best country in the world and what could you possibly learn from other countries.....
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