Finally, a universal healthcare proposal that would work for everyone

[pbmus]

Up to now, single-payer and universal health coverage proposals in the U.S. have foundered on one shoal or another: They're ungodly expensive; they replace plans that people like; they're too sudden; they're not sudden enough; they're politically impossible, etc., etc., etc.

But now take a look at "Medicare Extra for All." It's a universal coverage proposal released last week by the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank associated with the Democratic Party.

It's not quite "Medicare for All," to cite the mantra used by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and others who want a near instantaneous, wholesale transformation of the American health coverage system into a public service. Instead, it would preserve privately financed employer coverage for as long as employers want to stay in.

http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-medicare-extra-20180227-story.html

[Freddie]

1. This is a truly great idea

A robust affordable public option - Medicare For Everyone Who Needs It - and leave employer plans in place for those who have them. Maybe this is an idea that *all* Dems can get behind?

[Sophia4]

3. Medicare for all/single payer, whatever you want to call it, does not mean

one size fits all or only one government plan for all.

It just means that the money for the insurance comes from everyone and is put into a common fund or paid directly to the insurers which are non-profit.

This sounds like a good idea, although having had to buy the insurance for a company I worked for, I think most employers would be better off not providing insurance unless they employ a lot of people.

Everyone should help pay the medical costs of everyone else in our society. That is important. If people want to pay more than necessary for basic care, that should be their choice, but everyone should help pay the bill for all Americans so that we all have the healthcare we need.

[area51]

2. PNHP's commentary on

Medicare Extra.

[DAMANgoldberg]

4. This is doable when we get control

As much as I would like to see a true Single Payer system, that will not fly politically. What the ACA was a step to is that everyone will have some coverage or more importantly, the ability to obtain coverage. This Medicare Extra plan provides a floor for everyone and coverage.

• If I'm a medical company, such as Atrium Health (the new name for the dominant system here in my area) and I could all but eliminate uncompensated care, sign me up.
  
• As someone who lives in a non-Medicare enhanced state, this will allow my coverage to be truly Medicaid on my income, and with the transportation options not currently in my plan, some procedures that aren't getting done now have a chance.
  
• The private market doesn't and won't go away. Those with resources will always have the ability to jump any lines for medicine, and those that think they have it can aspire to do so right away.