my thoughts on single payer/national health care

[Soylent Brice]

to me it seems as though our government may not really be against single payer/national health care.

if anything, it seems like the same bullshit as usual. pretend they're against it to save face, and then like everything else they make us twist their arm.

i don't know about you but the government always moves as slow as molasses when it comes to any kind of significant reform.

think civil rights, women's lib movement, shit - look at the GLBT rights movement.

i think they want to do this, but they have to put on a big fucking show so when we do get single-payer the 20 percenters can't cry foul. congress critters can claim, "look, we tried to keep them out!! we even arrested them a few times!!"

it's a big play for the 20 percenters. anyone else see this?

[MercutioATC]

1. I think there's legitimate resistance.

I'd rather see FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program) expanded to cover everybody than I would single-payer.

I like having choices that single-payer would most likely eliminate.

[Soylent Brice]

3. i'm sure there is SOME legitimate resistance, but

it just seems like a dog and pony show for the most part.

they have to make it look like the people wanted the "RED SCARE" to "take over" the health care system. dog forbid they take it upon themselves to take credit for something revolutionary like health care for its citizens.

i dunno, it seems more like an act these days. remember when they buried hillary in '92-'93 with her talks of universal health care? the resistance we're seeing now doesn't hold a candle to the venom that was slung then.

[seabeckind]

4. I've had FEHB for a long time

While it's a good system, it has preferred provider and large out of pocket costs. Last year I spent over $9000 for health care, pushed big time by the wife's $1800 root canal. That's 13% of our income.

They also just doubled the drug co-pay for name brands...eg, plavix and insulin.

One good point if the congresscritters tax the employer contribution I won't have to worry about it. I get to buy into the program as a retiree but there is no employer portion.

I'd much rather have single payer with a gate keeper.

[Soylent Brice]

5. if you don't mind me asking, or mind answering

in what capacity do you work for the feds?


on edit: welome to DU. :hi:

[MercutioATC]

6. Available plans depend on your area, but I have about 15 HMOs, PPOs, and PPV plans to choose from

I have an HMO (through FEHBP) for my son and myself and my highest yearly out-of pocket was probably about $6k...and $5k of that was for his braces (not covered).

I agree that there are people with better plans, but it's worked great for me.

[ejpoeta]

2. unfortunately, they personally probably could care either way...

but the folks that give them all that money to run their campaigns sure as hell do. the insurance companies make good money with the system as it is right now. all they need is a mandate to force us to buy what they have to offer.... with little or no restrictions on them. if insurance companies have their way, single payer will never be. and they will get us trapped in the system that THEY want.