Kamala Harris unveils 'Medicare for All' plan that preserves role for private insurance

[mobeau69]

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris released a health care plan on Monday that would put the US on the path toward a government-backed health insurance system but stops short of completely eliminating private insurance.

Harris' proposal, which her campaign unveiled just days before she takes the stage in Detroit for the second Democratic presidential debate, hosted by CNN, positions her to the right of progressives, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose plan goes farther and gets to a "Medicare for All" health care system more quickly. But it is to the left of moderates like former Vice President Joe Biden, who would retain the present system but add a government-run -- and presumably less expensive -- insurance option to the Affordable Care Act exchanges.

The future of private insurance in America has become a key point of difference among the more than 20 candidates running for the 2020 Democratic nomination and a litmus test among progressives who have publicly declared their support for "Medicare for All." Harris has offered mixed messages so far on the role of private insurance, at times indicating she'd eliminate private coverage and at other points saying that she'd keep it in some form.

Her plan makes clear she supports a role for private insurance companies within the health care system, in a stark difference from the Medicare for All Act proposed by Sanders, which essentially eliminates private insurance. Harris calls for transitioning to a Medicare for All-type system over a 10-year period -- longer than the four-year transition period laid out by Sanders. Her plan also does not raise middle class taxes, another distinction with Sanders.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/29/politics/kamala-harris-health-care-plan/index.html

[wyldwolf]

1. We'll see if she changes her mind next week.

[rampartc]

2. ms harris is missing a point

for profit private insurance adds no value to the health care product. why preserve a role that exists only to drain resources from patient care into executive salaries and dividends?

[democratisphere]

3. Agreed.

Can't have it both ways.

[bigtree]

9. agreed? doesn't Biden protect private insurance?

...agree that his plan "drains resources from patient care into executive salaries and dividends?"

[brooklynite]

4. Bernie Sanders misses a bigger point...

Voters aren't supportive of being obliged to give up private insurance, and he risks losing the election and not ending up with any MFA by advocating for it.

[rampartc]

6. i get that as well. i love medicare

but it is only practical because my retirement provides blue cross for my drugs and copays.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. I learned that phrase years ago and has stuck with me: "ADDS ZERO VALUE". They only take.

[wasupaloopa]

7. Most people want to keep their employer based

insurance coverage.

The trouble with Sanders is he thinks a one size fits all system will get him the nomination.

It is a self centered idea. If we have universal coverage with affordable care that covers everyone and every case we don’t need to force people to give up what they already have,

We don’t need to burn down the house because some people don’t like the architecture .

Also there is no way in hell that we would replace our present system in four years.

[bigtree]

8. good clear, doable policy

Topher Spiro @TopherSpiro 44m
Medicare already has this for 30% of beneficiaries.

Medicaid already has this for 70% of beneficiaries.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. IMO, the role of private insurance should be limited as it is in Canada

In Canada, private insurance is used for what is called "extended benefits", that includes dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and medical equipment and some prescriptions.

The rest is covered by the govt plan, where everyone is equal, and your coverage doesn't depend on what plan you or your employer purchase.

[DesertRat]

11. k&r