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A Simple Game

(9,214 posts)

62. The medicare system is already in place it doesn't have to be turned on,

Mon Jan 18, 2016, 11:47 AM

Jan 2016

most providers already use it. Doctor's offices would only have to quit using different procedures for multiple insurance companies and just use the procedure for billing medicare. Oh, and they could lay off one or two people or utilize them for some other purpose than fighting with insurance companies for payment.

We are not talking about anything new, just getting rid of the wasteful 20% overhead insurance companies and switching to the already used medicare with 2% overhead. That is assuming we do something different with parts B and D which would be a big plus.

The government is not going to nationalize the medical industry, just eliminate the insurance industry. Gone will be the days of having to decide which policy is best for your situation.

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The cost of single payer .... the math at my house. [View all] KentuckyWoman Jan 2016 OP

I believe that the real reason behind being for Single Payer is that the current level of profits djean111 Jan 2016 #1

The ones who scream the loudest for this system are usually "Pro-Life" as well... Moostache Jan 2016 #65

Even with Medicare I can't afford either eye or dental care... StarzGuy Jan 2016 #78

Try http://www.zennioptical.com/ Cheap glasses from $6.95 masmdu Jan 2016 #86

In Europe, dental care is covered. I think vision is too, but really discretionary things JDPriestly Jan 2016 #88

It amazes me that Clinton supporters are twisting Warren Stupidity Jan 2016 #2

Not a Clinton supporter but Sanders plan doesn't build on what is there- KittyWampus Jan 2016 #5

What is your plan to universal healthcare? How is it b etter than Bernies' Medicare for all? Vincardog Jan 2016 #8

I have medicare.. one_voice Jan 2016 #22

I agree with you. Curmudgeoness Jan 2016 #24

Yup. I agree with you as well. one_voice Jan 2016 #38

Do you think it would be better if a bunch of prople AllyCat Jan 2016 #26

I wonder if a 'buy in' system would be one_voice Jan 2016 #37

I agree that Medicare as it is now is not good enough. pangaia Jan 2016 #66

If you read Bernie's plan, you will see that it's much better and cheaper passiveporcupine Jan 2016 #82

Two points. Vinca Jan 2016 #9

His plan may be for the final version passiveporcupine Jan 2016 #10

Sander's plan builds on the already existing Medicare system by expanding it to everyone. Enthusiast Jan 2016 #19

It has to be done in steps though SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #20

If this country can wage two wars simultaneously surely we can a get a health care system up Enthusiast Jan 2016 #25

OK SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #30

People a lot more knowledgeable and better informed than I am will work out the details. Enthusiast Jan 2016 #39

Yes, the experts will work it out SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #40

The medicare system is already in place it doesn't have to be turned on, A Simple Game Jan 2016 #62

It won't be nearly that easy n/t SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #68

No of course it won't be that easy, but it won't be like starting over with the ACA either. A Simple Game Jan 2016 #69

I think it will take 2 years. KentuckyWoman Jan 2016 #42

I think it's doable SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #45

The health insurance companies are the problem with our health care. -none Jan 2016 #60

Who said anything about letting insurance companies participate in single-payer? SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #67

That was the way I read with what you wrote. -none Jan 2016 #71

Interesting SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #72

One can describe something without using any words naming it. -none Jan 2016 #74

If I had meant insurance, I would have said insurance SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #75

Which means insurance didn't cover it. -none Jan 2016 #90

No, it means no such thing SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #91

Here ya go- just released - Medicare for All LiberalElite Jan 2016 #34

It sounds reasonable to me. Of course I'm not a health care bandit either. Enthusiast Jan 2016 #43

What is there, is a functioning sulphurdunn Jan 2016 #73

If you know of a plan that "builds on what's there" and gives us universal healthcare, rhett o rick Jan 2016 #85

NO Clinton supporters are "attacking universal healthcare" at all. I don't know where you get that. George II Jan 2016 #77

You are at least consistent. Warren Stupidity Jan 2016 #80

Inasmuch as you threw out a negative (and false) comment about Clinton supporters.... George II Jan 2016 #81

i have a chronic illness that requires that i keep up on research nashville_brook Jan 2016 #3

... KentuckyWoman Jan 2016 #4

That's just terrible sammythecat Jan 2016 #48

yep. one of the comments broke my heart. a woman in mississippi... nashville_brook Jan 2016 #59

My wife suffered a COBRA plan until it timed out. hunter Jan 2016 #6

My heart goes out to you. truedelphi Jan 2016 #11

Most everyone in the U.S.A. who has medical insurance thinks they have good insurance... hunter Jan 2016 #36

Any thinking person knew what the ACA was all about the minute after the truedelphi Jan 2016 #7

I remember the day it passed. Obama called it insurance finance reform. Autumn Jan 2016 #33

Any time someone asks where the money will come from... eggplant Jan 2016 #12

With the subsidies, much of that money the insurances take in is tax payers money. Autumn Jan 2016 #13

Yep. eggplant Jan 2016 #27

What it will take is Bernie Sanders. Autumn Jan 2016 #14

K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Jan 2016 #15

When I had a lupectomy almost two years ago, phylny Jan 2016 #16

If that were the case you'd have reason for a lawsuit. 7962 Jan 2016 #23

How would single payer prevent what you describe? Recursion Jan 2016 #56

How do I know what it will or won't prevent? phylny Jan 2016 #87

And pay for preventative checkups and physicals as well 7962 Jan 2016 #17

Medicare only covers one physical NewJeffCT Jan 2016 #79

Correct. Just imagine the massive bureaucracy running those insurance corporations. WASTE. joanbarnes Jan 2016 #18

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jan 2016 #21

K&R cantbeserious Jan 2016 #28

Gotta keep this kicked. nt Bigmack Jan 2016 #29

Can you deduct medical expenses from your taxes if they are ten percent? senseandsensibility Jan 2016 #31

You can't include premiums in the total SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #32

actually yes you can include premiums in some circumstances. KentuckyWoman Jan 2016 #41

thank you for the correction! SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2016 #44

Thanks, KW. senseandsensibility Jan 2016 #46

Kicking nt LiberalElite Jan 2016 #35

If anyone is expecting Medicare to be free, think again Jim Beard Jan 2016 #47

Don't you think the cost would go down when healthy people are entered into the mix? Vinca Jan 2016 #58

Anyone woh would rather pay a $800/month "premium"than a-- eridani Jan 2016 #49

Even my SO gets it Kalidurga Jan 2016 #61

Just got a note from another single payer advocate advising-- eridani Jan 2016 #89

Even at the worst case extreme I'd rather pay my entire current insurance premium as a tax GoneFishin Jan 2016 #50

There are a multitude of problems in U.S health care... tomp Jan 2016 #51

Herein lies the big rub. chervilant Jan 2016 #57

Americans pay more per capita on public health than Britons Bad Dog Jan 2016 #52

K & R ctsnowman Jan 2016 #53

K & R because math.. mountain grammy Jan 2016 #54

You say he's on Medicare? (nt) Recursion Jan 2016 #55

Kicking nt LiberalElite Jan 2016 #63

The Clinton machine in the pockets of insurance companies, with the ACA, a republican plan. ViseGrip Jan 2016 #64

I'm on chemo myself and although I am fortunate enough to still have reasonably decent Douglas Carpenter Jan 2016 #70

Kicked and recommended! Absolutely. PatrickforO Jan 2016 #76

Life in American Healthcare Kennah Jan 2016 #83

That could be it's own OP. KentuckyWoman Jan 2016 #84