Step 1 in Health Care Debate: Take Control of the Language

[mrfocus]

I know it's frustrating to 'debate' single payer universal health care with a Bushbot, Faux News viewer, or just plain misled fellow citizen.

Here are some blurbs that are able to create a nice amount of cognitive dissonance very quickly. I have found those to be handy and always have them 'at the ready' when spreading the health care message among my peers and colleagues.
(some of these will look familiar to you...credit to Michael Moore, Keith Olberman, et al.)

"Is health care a right or a privilege?"
"Do you support single-payer, government-run fire fighting? Policing? Why?"
"Should Tony Snow be denied cancer treatment if he had to change jobs? What do you think are his chances of getting insurance in the open market after his cancer diagnosis?"
"Are you against government health care for soldiers?"
"Are congressmen and -women better off with their government-run health care or private insurance? Why is there not a SINGLE member of congress who has declined their government-run healthcare?"
"How long, approximately, is the waiting time for elective surgery for a person without insurance or $150,000 in cash in the US? Do you think you'll be slated for elective bypass surgery at any hospital in the United States within less than six months if you can't pay for it?"
"Is it OK that denying care is the best way for health insurance companies to maximize profits .... since profit maximization is their primary responsibility as a private enterprise?"
"Should cost be the first concern if you get injured in a car accident....or getting better?"

[antigop]

1. Welcome to DU! I would add , "Are you against Medicare?" n/t

[sutz12]

4. Unfortunately, many of "them" would answer yes....

with a straight face and not a twinge of guilt, either.

:shrug:

[CTyankee]

5. "Medicare for everybody" is the most winning slogan, because people KNOW Medicare.

You may be on Medicare yourself, or your parents are, or other people you care about. It has provided decent health care for our seniors.

We should stay away from being defensive. People don't feel threatened by Medicare. Lots of people who want to retire before age 65 wish they were on Medicare!

Do you remember in the 2000 campaign when Bush went around saying to audiences "Don't let the Democrats replace your Medicare with a big government program!" To which Al Gore commented gently, "Well, Medicare IS a big government program."

[burythehatchet]

2. well done. welcome to DU

[FLDCVADem]

3. Decent arguments, but I would check the one about Congress

Unless something has changed recently, Congress does not have government-run single payer healthcare. They use the same system as other government employees, i.e., they are able to choose from a number of health insurance plans run by health insurance companies. And (again, unless something has changed recently), they have to pay the same premiums as other federal employees for whichever plan they choose.

[mrfocus]

6. FEHBP - Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan

While this is still (technically) provided by private insurance companies, the rates are incredibly discounted and paid for in large part by the federal government.
Your clarification is well taken...the argument should read "not a SINGLE member of Congress has opted out of the publicly subsidized, government-administered FEHBP"

Check out the premiums for non-postal employees.
Example:
California PacifiCare of California
Individual:
Bi-weekly premium
Total $165.34
Govt pays $124.01
Employee pays $41.33

Family:
Bi-weekly premium
Total $383.62
Govt pays $287.72
Employee pays $95.90

[Telly Savalas]

7. It's not government administered.

Pacificare is a subsidiary of United Health Care. The public subsidies are paid to the private insurer just as is the case for any employer which helps pay for its employees health insurance.

It would certainly be an improvement if everybody got to buy into FEHBP, but it's a far cry from single-payer coverage.

[dkofos]

8. That should be step one in any debate, on any subject.

Was anything like this mentioned at YKos??
If not, why not?

[Yael]

9. Welcome to DU

Good list!

I have been fighting the battle of "Socialized Medicine" and "Communism".

Talking points on those:

* Single-payer is not socialized medicine. In Socialized medicine, hospitals are owned by the state and Doctors work for the state. In Single-payer, Doctors merely file claims with a single-payer (the government) as opposed to the myriad of insurance companies. One set of rules (as opposed to new rules for each company) and the Doctor remains self-employed or employed by his/her practice

* Canada, Australia and Japan are all Single-payer systems. Do you consider those to be communist countries?

* The UK and France are full-blown socialist systems. Do you consider those to be communist countries?

:hi: