I don't understand the "I like my private insurance" meme.

[wysimdnwyg]

138. My own personal experience...

I'm lucky. I've got a good job, with good insurance (Blue Cross), I make a quite comfortable living, and I've been reasonably healthy. In part BECAUSE I've been healthy, I chose the High Deductible plan at work. I typically spend very little beyond an annual wellness visit, but occasionally spend my deductible (like a few years ago when I broke my ankle).

So this year has been a fun one, with a shoulder injury that pretty much capped things, and more recently, an ER visit that's more than covering the rest. Thankfully my work contributes toward my deductible in an HSA, so very little of this has been out of pocket.

And still, I'm seeing holes that need to be filled. From arguments about whether PT was needed for my shoulder, or having to wait to get a prescription filled while the pharmacy, my dr. and the insurance company work out whether the dosage is approved, even good private insurance can be difficult.

Would I give up my "good" private insurance (and honestly, it could be a whole lot worse than what I've experienced) in favor of a small tax increase to get MFA? Oh, hell yes. And for most people, they'll actually end up with MORE money in their pocket. IMO, only those who don't understand the concept or how it gets paid for can argue in good faith that their private insurance is better.



*** All of that said, I recognize the world in which I live is not yet ready for MFA, and an interim step (or three) will be needed to get us there. I still like candidates who promote MFA, because if we don't ask for it, we'll never get there. ***