What doesn't spend a lot of money on administration in this country is Medicare. Medicare for all is a reasonable response to 45 years of upward redistribution of income and wealth, and will make the total cost of healthcare much lower.
***If the government decides to lean into austerity, the “front line”***
If the government leans into austerity, that means there is no universal healthcare. If voters stands for that, it's their funeral. That is happening in countries where Trumpy fascists are getting elected.
This is what is happening in Aotearoa NZ at the moment - just enough idiot voters to get a Trump leaning coalition Government. Public health is being underfunded and undermined, health professionals are heading overseas where they get better pay, emergency departments and urgent care facilities are overwhelmed, waiting lists are over 12 months, rural hospitals are closing. We currently have public health ONE gynaecology specialist. For 5,000,000 people.
We could go to a National Health system like Britain's, of course, if not for the medical-hospital-corporate lobby and a**holes like Rick Scott (and the millions of Medicare-dependent a**holes in Florida who consistently vote for the man who will take away their Medicare!). But even Medicare for all is probably not a realistic option now, since that same lobby had spent twenty years undermining it with Medicare "Advantage" plans that A) drain the system of money, B) limit coverage, and C) undercut the entire purpose of original Medicare.
However, when a new Democratic majority is in place in 2029, they MUST vote for a one-year phaseout of all Medicare Advantage plans, thus removing that option from people 65 and over. Also, they MUST vote for an irreversible expansion of Medicare by five-year age increments starting Jan. 1, 2030: that year everyone 60-64 will become eligible; in 2031, everyone 55-59; in 2032, 50-54; in 2033, 45-49; etc. Or widen eligibility by 10 years each year, so that 25-year-olds will be enrolled by the end of 2033.
One benefit of that expansion will be that Medicaid recipients will simply fold into Medicare instead. Maybe that can happen right away, i.e., Medicaid ceases to exist because everyone currently eligible will enroll in Medicare.
And maybe it can be done more quickly; it depends on how far into fascism the country has plunged by the end of this year, because that will help determine which of 100 major legislative tasks facing a new democracy after the regime is banished, prosecuted, and imprisoned or deported.
Of course, there will have to be MASSIVE TAX INCREASES on the rich, like those in place during the Truman and Eisenhower years. 91% on the highest incomes, etc. -- and the elimination of all loopholes that benefit the uber-rich.
In Sweden, you *can* go to the front of the line if you pay your own way and get your own doctor. But nobody's going to go broke for out of pocket costs or copays if they opt to wait and use the socialized payor.
And you can bet yours that Jeff Bozos is going to have his own doctor on payroll, unless we put all the tech bros on one of Elon's rockets to mars and make them stay there.
It's unfortunate that United Healthcare and Universal healthcare share an acronym. Good write up, but doesn't address the vast amount we pay doctors' offices to manage multiple insurance systems and their idiosyncrasies, not to mention the army of workers insurers employ to resist paying claims. I mention United HC because they employ AI and are selling their services to other health insurance companies. I dread trying to interface with anyone using AI. I usually tell the bot how stupid it is and end up speaking to a person. I remember how easy it used to be in the 70's to go to a doctor or dentist with just basic health insurance and no dental insurance. Back then, I made less than $2.00 per hour and got excellent care for medical care and dental care without insurance.
What doesn't spend a lot of money on administration in this country is Medicare. Medicare for all is a reasonable response to 45 years of upward redistribution of income and wealth, and will make the total cost of healthcare much lower.
Healthcare is a human right. Health insurance is an expensive and unnecessary mess.
***If the government decides to lean into austerity, the “front line”***
If the government leans into austerity, that means there is no universal healthcare. If voters stands for that, it's their funeral. That is happening in countries where Trumpy fascists are getting elected.
This is what is happening in Aotearoa NZ at the moment - just enough idiot voters to get a Trump leaning coalition Government. Public health is being underfunded and undermined, health professionals are heading overseas where they get better pay, emergency departments and urgent care facilities are overwhelmed, waiting lists are over 12 months, rural hospitals are closing. We currently have public health ONE gynaecology specialist. For 5,000,000 people.
Government of the people, by the privileged, for the billionaires.
Well said. Er, well written.
We could go to a National Health system like Britain's, of course, if not for the medical-hospital-corporate lobby and a**holes like Rick Scott (and the millions of Medicare-dependent a**holes in Florida who consistently vote for the man who will take away their Medicare!). But even Medicare for all is probably not a realistic option now, since that same lobby had spent twenty years undermining it with Medicare "Advantage" plans that A) drain the system of money, B) limit coverage, and C) undercut the entire purpose of original Medicare.
However, when a new Democratic majority is in place in 2029, they MUST vote for a one-year phaseout of all Medicare Advantage plans, thus removing that option from people 65 and over. Also, they MUST vote for an irreversible expansion of Medicare by five-year age increments starting Jan. 1, 2030: that year everyone 60-64 will become eligible; in 2031, everyone 55-59; in 2032, 50-54; in 2033, 45-49; etc. Or widen eligibility by 10 years each year, so that 25-year-olds will be enrolled by the end of 2033.
One benefit of that expansion will be that Medicaid recipients will simply fold into Medicare instead. Maybe that can happen right away, i.e., Medicaid ceases to exist because everyone currently eligible will enroll in Medicare.
And maybe it can be done more quickly; it depends on how far into fascism the country has plunged by the end of this year, because that will help determine which of 100 major legislative tasks facing a new democracy after the regime is banished, prosecuted, and imprisoned or deported.
Of course, there will have to be MASSIVE TAX INCREASES on the rich, like those in place during the Truman and Eisenhower years. 91% on the highest incomes, etc. -- and the elimination of all loopholes that benefit the uber-rich.
In Sweden, you *can* go to the front of the line if you pay your own way and get your own doctor. But nobody's going to go broke for out of pocket costs or copays if they opt to wait and use the socialized payor.
And you can bet yours that Jeff Bozos is going to have his own doctor on payroll, unless we put all the tech bros on one of Elon's rockets to mars and make them stay there.
Great piece, Eric
It's unfortunate that United Healthcare and Universal healthcare share an acronym. Good write up, but doesn't address the vast amount we pay doctors' offices to manage multiple insurance systems and their idiosyncrasies, not to mention the army of workers insurers employ to resist paying claims. I mention United HC because they employ AI and are selling their services to other health insurance companies. I dread trying to interface with anyone using AI. I usually tell the bot how stupid it is and end up speaking to a person. I remember how easy it used to be in the 70's to go to a doctor or dentist with just basic health insurance and no dental insurance. Back then, I made less than $2.00 per hour and got excellent care for medical care and dental care without insurance.
I just had an awesome convo with Claude about 2 major medical issues, what insurance covers, the best arguments for coverage, etc.