How would Obamacare be an improvement over a single-payer healthcare system?

[kentuck]

The first drawback of Obamacare is that it does not cover everyone.

Another drawback is that it is priced to the demands of the insurance companies. They are not happy at all with a 20% profit margin.

What is the argument for Obamacare over single-payer?

[TexasProgresive]

1. ACA makes insurance companies happy?

[kentuck]

8. Yes, they are "subsidized"...

by the government. If the government does not "subsidize" them, then the ACA would probably not survive?

[tazkcmo]

2. It's

Less socialisticy?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. Only that it is more politically palatable at the moment

That may change in the near future but if we lose ACA, it will significantly set the ultimate goal of SP/UHC significantly back IMHO. People are only just now- after 7 years of relentless smearing of ACA- embracing it and pushing back against its repeal and even as Republicans very nearly succeeded it dismantling large swaths of it recently.

[c-rational]

6. Well said and Agreed. Tweak ACA properly, and expand Medicare to 55. Business would buy in

because they would not have to shoulder the medical insurance for the most expensive group. Keep moving forward.

[kentuck]

9. Sounds logical.

[Xipe Totec]

4. For starters, it is signed law whereas single-payer healthcare is a project nt

[dembotoz]

5. pretty much

[FakeNoose]

7. The ACA was never intended to be the final product

It was always meant to be an interim program, or first baby steps.

In this country we have to take baby steps because people can't understand what's happening until it's already happened.

[kentuck]

11. That would make sense...

if the ACA was only a transitional program to get to the single-payer. We could gradually move out of the ACA and into single-payer in a more organized and thoughtful process.

We are Americans, after all.

[FakeNoose]

13. Sure - all we have to do is convince the right wingers that it's in their best interest

They always make it so freaking hard.

[RB TexLa]

10. Private insurance doesn't have the massive fraud

that Medicare and Medicaid have. Doctors and other health providers give contributions to keep the enforcement weak. They treat it as their own little ATM and justify it by saying what they steal is making up the difference of what they are paid and what they deserve.

[kentuck]

12. We would need better vigilance...

to regulate in such a manner that each department was coordinated and accountable to a superior.

What Department of the government would be the final authority on such a program?

[Exilednight]

15. There is far greater fraud in the private insurance markets.

The difference is, the I Durance companies are the one's committing the fraud, and we are the ones being defrauded.

[Hoyt]

14. Only one way, it's the best Congress would pass. So far, single payer here is just a pipe dream.

Not because it's bad, but because it's the only game for those who don't have health insurance otherwise.

I've supported single payer -- really Medicaid for all -- since about 1980, but disinformation is not going to move us forward. For example, most insurers make about 6% profit with 9% or so going to admin, billing, sales costs, funds for systems, funds for risk (including the risk from government changes), etc. The 20% you site is for small plans selling individual insurance. Most plans are limited to 15% including profits. Medicare for All isn't going to be a whole lot cheaper because some of that will be necessary.

Point is, if maintaining a part for insurance companies becomes a requirement to get everyone covered, I'll pay my share. I get it shouldn't be necessary. Bu if we are going to be purists, we'll still be sitting here with Obamacare -- or less if GOPers get their way -- 20 years from now.

I'm glad we have Obamacare until we can enact something better. A whole lot of people were saying the same when it was a vote or two from repeal.

[Azathoth]

16. There is no "argument" for it. Single-payer ain't gonna happen, so ACA is the best we can do

If there's anything I've learned from the past eight years, it's that conservative entertainment will make sure that no Repub can support any kind of sensible healthcare policy. What began as cynical "piss on the n----r" opportunism is now a fundamental tenet of modern conservatism.