HR 676 !!! - Let's put Single Payer into the conversation:

[stevenleser]

15. The two of you are talking past each other to an extent. There are a couple of points though

1 - It's important that people understand the difference between Single Payer and ideas like a Dual (or multi-) payer system like France has and like most Medicare recipients employ.

2 - In 99% of both systems, a public government funded option provides the lions share of paying health costs. However, in a Dual or Multi payer system, there is supplemental private insurance that layers on top of the government system that provides a higher level of service for those desiring to have it and have the means. Or in some cases, like with Medicare, the supplemental private insurance covers a number of health costs that the government provided coverage does not address at all.

3 - It is important to know the difference and be up front about what it means because if it is to be employed here, people will be upset if promised one thing and another is delivered. Medicare by itself without supplemental private insurance has a LOT of gaps. Erhnst mentioned a few, "Medicare recipients require supplemental private insurance coverage (that is regulated) to cover prescription medications, vision services and dental." And that isnt all. Just as one example, Medicare does not cover an annual physical like most people are familiar with. It covers what is called an "Annual wellness visit" or "AWV" which does not include bloodwork or other labs and is pretty close to useless. https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/AWV_chart_ICN905706.pdf

So things like bills that tout/provide "Medicare for all" are not single payer and will require purchase of private supplementary insurance to get the kind of coverage people expect.

We have seen from the ACA what will happen if Republicans get the chance to demagogue something.