Please Explain

[Rilgin]

A simple question on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and our attacks on the Ryan Budget.

One of the most common Democratic attacks on GOP health care plans is they propose "turning Medicaire into a voucher program" (generic quotes since I have heard this attack from a lot of democratic politicians). I totally agree with this attack since turning Medicaire into a voucher program would be a horrendous change.

At the same time, the democratic party and many on this board trumpet the adoption of the ACA which is precisely a voucher program. You buy private insurance and the Government pays part of the premium based on the income level of the insured. This is precisely th GOP plan altough they may not means test the amount of the "voucher".

For defenders of the ACA, please explain why if vouchers are bad in Medicare, they are the right policy for the general healthcare system.

[dsc]

1. simple

Say I told you that a person was 6 feet tall and weighed 300 lbs. Your first thought would be well that isn't too good. But if I told you last year he weighed 500 lbs you would probably say wow that is pretty good. Similarly vouchers are a lot worse than guaranteed medical care but a lot better than nothing.

[peace13]

2. They are right for the insurance companies ...

That is all.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Vouchers aren't good anywhere.

The best solution would be something like universal Medicare, which would be a single-payer system.

The voucher business is a bad bargain, but presumably the best Obama could get through the gauntlet of private insurance companies. The voucher system is in effect a payoff to the insurance companies for their cooperation in going along with some form of ACA. They get their voucher payoffs, while the public gets somewhat improved coverage: elimination of pre-existing condition restrictions, coverage of dependents to age 26, means-tested assistance for premiums (via those damned vouchers), etc. A whole lot of people on the left really hate the voucher system but recognize it as marginally better than nothing.

[The Magistrate]

4. The Usual Apples v. Oranges Sort Of Thing, Sir

People with MediCare have insurance, which they pay a premium for. The Republican plan would end this insurance,and force them into a market to try and by new insurance, at an advanced age, with a strictly sum available. In essence, it would end insurance coverage for a great many old folks.

The A.C.A. provides a subsidy to people who do not already have insurance, intending, at least, to make the purchase affordable. It is far from the best way to extend coverage, but it does in fact extend coverage.