A National Healthcare Plan developed by and for Democrats.

[Old and In the Way]

I posted this in a thread on the Maine forum, but I thought this might make an interesting topic for GD:

Why don't the Democrats leverage their 80MM+ members and create a real healthcare plan for Americans? Let the Party negotiate with HCP's to lower prescriptions, negotiate costs, etc? Make it a national plan that all Democrats can opt in on. Develop it in such a way that it can eventually migrate to a federal plan. Maybe a tangible and cost effective healthcare plan would actually motivate lower/middle-class Republicans (those making under $5MM/year) to join the Party and start voting for their best interests.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Which is it? National? Or "for Democrats"?

[Old and In the Way]

2. National and Democratic

We are a national organization with significant financial leverage. Why not negotiate healthcare with the Republican's for profit insurance industry? Or by-pass the insurance industry and deal direct with hospitals and healthcare providers?

Open it up to Democrats to participate in. If you want in, become a Democrat.

[EC]

3. I thought about this too

set up a pool just for Dems for health insurance. You're right Repugs would be switching parties in droves...

[dtotire]

4. Extend the Government Health Plan To Everyone

Senators, Congressmen, and Federal employees have a health insurance plan that is satisfactory and affordable. The same plan could be extended to everyone. The government pays approximately 75% of the insurance premium and the suscriber pays the rest. You have a choice of plans from several health insurance companies. The premiums differ for the various plans and have different co-payments and deductables. You may join an HMO or from fee-for-service. The insurance companies must enroll everyone who suscribes. (No cherry-picking). They all cover hospitalization and doctor visits. I believe that it may be similar to the insurance plans in France and Germany, where you choose from several plans and pay a small premium.

If you you visit this web site you can find the cost of the premiums.

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/2008non_postal_ffs.pdf