Other than the health insurance companies disappearing off the face of...

[Hepburn]

...the earth in the USA, is there any other source of opposition to Single Payer?

I am so sick of the insurance gods and those that suck at their tit dictating health care law. There has to be a way to get around the bullshit now coming out of DC.

Ideas?

[abluelady]

1. Those Afraid of Socialism, perhaps? eom

[havocmom]

13. Same people who use public roads, public parks, medicare, and are defended by the US Military?

Those people? Yeah, they are afraid of socialism, but they sure all enjoy a tremendous amount of benefit from programs, infrastructure made possible by social contracts within our society.

One of our jobs is to make them see that little truth. They ALL benefit from some degree of socialism, even the rich guys with fleets of Lear Jets at their disposals. They don't do air traffic control and build airports on their own.

[abluelady]

15. Of Course You're Right

But they will never "see" how they benefit from social contracts in America. That, imho, is the main problem with "them." They wear blinders over their eyes and ear plugs in their ears.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. I've seen some posts here on DU

from folks who worry that health care under a single payer system will cost them more. Seems they will lose their employer subsidized non-taxed health care benefits and have to pay taxes toward providing health care. A selfish concern and not exactly a progressive view but, well, you asked.

[Hepburn]

6. So, how about this compromise:

Leave in place any health coverage that is employer provided exactly as it is. Give the option, however, to anyone who has this to opt out if they feel that they wish to have the govt provided single payer program.

Would that work? :hi:

[Coyote_Bandit]

14. Won't solve much of anything

Folks who cannot afford health insurance now and do not have employer provided health care still will still not be able to afford public option health insurance. People who have individual plans will have less choice and employers may become less likely to extend health benefits.

I support single payer that extends MINIMUM coverage to all without cost and optional supplemental private insurance coverage beyond that - which can be purchased individually or provided as an employee benefit. Anything less is a cop out that really doesn't offer much to most who are currently uninsured/underinsured. About the only issue public option health insurance really addresses is the refusal to extend coverage based on pre-existing conditions. While that is not insignificant, public option will not benefit anyone who cannot afford it. Which I would wager is the majority of the uninsured/underinsured.

[DailyGrind51]

3. The neanderthals on "the right" who fear any degree of "socialism"

because IF it works and people begin to see that "government" CAN do some things well, they might want "government" to control other aspects of life, like energy, for example.

[ejpoeta]

4. because police and fire departments... and libraries... these are not the same thing.

right? we all pay into them and all are protected by them or able to use them.

[Hepburn]

9. Weight and measure standards, also:

Let's allow different states to on their own set the standard for, let's say, railroad tracks...so that when trains from one state get to the borders of another state, their wheels do not fit on the tracks of the other state.

That would be another sure-fire advancement towards fighting socialism, right?

:sarcasm:

[OHdem10]

5. Conservatives who believe that Healthcare has no place in Government.

Personal Responsiblity: Individuals have the responsiblity to take
care of themselves and their families.

Funny they have no problem transferring money to Rich but can
they really squeal over a few pennies to the less fortunate.

When you believe that poverty is your own fault, a closed mind
exists to any form of Government Intervention.

It is noteworthy that the Blue Dogs as a group came out against
the idea of a Public Option.

Conservatives are Conservatives whether a D or an R is after their name.

[Dappleganger]

8. They only believe

what the health care lobbyists whisper in their ear.

[Hepburn]

10. Well, yeah, and it does not hurt this propaganda that the health ins industry...

...puts a lot of $$$ in the pockets of some pols!

[Hepburn]

7. So what I am hearing is basically the buga-boo about...

..socialized medicine and the evils of govt control, right?

[DURHAM D]

11. Health insurance companies won't disappear.

They will get busy selling "supplemental" policies to everyone - much like everyone on medicare has to buy supplementals presently.

[NV Whino]

12. If we go with a Medicare-type insurance, that is true

Medicare pays shit. Medigap covers the gap. You end up saving a little when you go on Medicare with a Medigap supplement, but not a lot. Not to mention that Medicare doesn't cover visual or dental care. Yep, you need supplemental insurance from an insurance company to cover that.

Only true nationalized health insurance (without the need for supplemental insurance) will give us the full health coverage we need.