This $55,000 Bill Is The Perfect Example Of Our Broken Hospital System

[jeff47]

17. Well, it would save him about $5,000 to $9,000.

Those horrific deductibles are less than this bill.

And it would mean his treatment would be billed at the contracted rate instead of the "uninsured" rate, likely saving him even more money.

Yes, single-payer is better. We'll get there. The ACA moves the battle from the Federal level, where Republicans have an advantage, to the state level. Democrats have a large advantage in "Blue" states. "Public options" and outright single-payer will be very successful in those blue states, leading to similar programs appearing in "purple" states. After most of the country is under de-facto single-payer, the federal battle will be rejoined, and we will get national single-payer.

Alternatively, you could try to come up with a national single-payer program that Lieberman would vote for. I somehow don't think "the senator from Aetna" could be brought along, but you're welcome to propose how you'd get his vote.