How would you feel about losing your company-provided health insurance for "medicare for all"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m PP

We are also in DC.

Prior to ACA, you me employer had many more options of private plans. All gone now and forced to buy crap Obamacare plans at higher cost.

Word

Prior to ACA we couldn't get private insurance due to pre-existing conditions. ACA allowed us to become self employed.

Similar to this R in AZ:

Jeans told Ryan that he has campaigned for Republican candidates and, when the ACA was passed, told his wife that he would close his business rather than comply. The real-estate company he and his wife owned operated in two Midwestern states

"Then, at 49, I was given six weeks to live with a very curable type of cancer. We offered three times the cost of my treatments, which was rejected. They required an insurance card," Jeans said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I’m standing here today alive.

"Can I say one thing? I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart because I would be dead if it weren’t for him," Jeans said as the audience applauded.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2017/01/14/sedona-jeff-jeans-obamacare-aca-cnn-paul-ryan/96553138/


Pre ACA insurance plans had a lifetime cap at $250K, which you could easily reach if you had cancer. I know someone who did, and they died penniless and could no longer afford the treatement. That could be you one day.

-word..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

DP.. I think you are confused. Medicare is not free for everyone. My parents are on medicare, and they pay premiums. Medicare is only free if you are very low income, and that is how it would be for medicare for all, as well.

Short of our government regulating health care costs (which they won't do), the only other way to get costs down for individuals is to be part of a very large group that has healthier people, and that means expanding medicare access to all. That was the intent of ACA, but the problem with ACA was that insurance companies could mandate how they structure the group. That wouldn't happen with medicare. Again, it would just be one large group, the biggest in the market. We can tap into that large group to cover more people. If you don't want medicare, you don't have to take it.

Free and compulsory Medicare for All is what Warren, Sanders and others are campaigning on (on top of free college, reneged debt, universal income, and other giveaways).

Like OP says, and for similar reasons, I could never vote for such a candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

ya, but it is still very comfortable living there. Have you been there recently? It is quite nice.

It is nice as a tourist, not so much for many people living there.

Explain otherwise that 20-30% youth unemployment in many countries, the financial trouble of many countries in the South, the recession in Germany, the rise of the far right.

Signed
- European

Depends on how you look at it. The leading cause of death in Europe for children is not gun violence, like it is here. If you are poor or middle class, you would be better off in Europe than in the US. At least they will provide medical care if you or your loved one gets sick. Here, you need insurance. What good is a job if you are too sick to work, and you can't get better to work because you don't have money to pay for care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

DP.. I think you are confused. Medicare is not free for everyone. My parents are on medicare, and they pay premiums. Medicare is only free if you are very low income, and that is how it would be for medicare for all, as well.

Short of our government regulating health care costs (which they won't do), the only other way to get costs down for individuals is to be part of a very large group that has healthier people, and that means expanding medicare access to all. That was the intent of ACA, but the problem with ACA was that insurance companies could mandate how they structure the group. That wouldn't happen with medicare. Again, it would just be one large group, the biggest in the market. We can tap into that large group to cover more people. If you don't want medicare, you don't have to take it.

Free and compulsory Medicare for All is what Warren, Sanders and others are campaigning on (on top of free college, reneged debt, universal income, and other giveaways).

Like OP says, and for similar reasons, I could never vote for such a candidate.

Are they all campaigning for free medicare? I would agree, that's not tenable. I'm not a progressive liberal. I'm an Independent (former R). -- PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m PP

We are also in DC.

Prior to ACA, you me employer had many more options of private plans. All gone now and forced to buy crap Obamacare plans at higher cost.

Word

Prior to ACA we couldn't get private insurance due to pre-existing conditions. ACA allowed us to become self employed.

Similar to this R in AZ:

Jeans told Ryan that he has campaigned for Republican candidates and, when the ACA was passed, told his wife that he would close his business rather than comply. The real-estate company he and his wife owned operated in two Midwestern states

"Then, at 49, I was given six weeks to live with a very curable type of cancer. We offered three times the cost of my treatments, which was rejected. They required an insurance card," Jeans said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I’m standing here today alive.

"Can I say one thing? I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart because I would be dead if it weren’t for him," Jeans said as the audience applauded.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2017/01/14/sedona-jeff-jeans-obamacare-aca-cnn-paul-ryan/96553138/


Pre ACA insurance plans had a lifetime cap at $250K, which you could easily reach if you had cancer. I know someone who did, and they died penniless and could no longer afford the treatement. That could be you one day.

-word..

Ah, the tactics of anecdote-driven fear.

What about the 2 million people who lost their insurance because of ACA.

Or the 7 million who had to pay a thousand bucks FINE not to have to buy overpriced insurance they didn't want.

Or the dozens of millions who had to pay those overpriced premiums.

Or the dozens of millions who realized their high-deductible "bronze" plans were essentially a scam.

Yeah yeah, let's f#ck 50 million people so that I don't end up penniless -- as if there were no other options on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

DP.. I think you are confused. Medicare is not free for everyone. My parents are on medicare, and they pay premiums. Medicare is only free if you are very low income, and that is how it would be for medicare for all, as well.

Short of our government regulating health care costs (which they won't do), the only other way to get costs down for individuals is to be part of a very large group that has healthier people, and that means expanding medicare access to all. That was the intent of ACA, but the problem with ACA was that insurance companies could mandate how they structure the group. That wouldn't happen with medicare. Again, it would just be one large group, the biggest in the market. We can tap into that large group to cover more people. If you don't want medicare, you don't have to take it.

Free and compulsory Medicare for All is what Warren, Sanders and others are campaigning on (on top of free college, reneged debt, universal income, and other giveaways).

Like OP says, and for similar reasons, I could never vote for such a candidate.

Are they all campaigning for free medicare? I would agree, that's not tenable. I'm not a progressive liberal. I'm an Independent (former R). -- PP

Yes, explicitly fee Medicare. Which, precisely, is not tenable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

ya, but it is still very comfortable living there. Have you been there recently? It is quite nice.

It is nice as a tourist, not so much for many people living there.

Explain otherwise that 20-30% youth unemployment in many countries, the financial trouble of many countries in the South, the recession in Germany, the rise of the far right.

Signed
- European

Depends on how you look at it. The leading cause of death in Europe for children is not gun violence, like it is here. If you are poor or middle class, you would be better off in Europe than in the US. At least they will provide medical care if you or your loved one gets sick. Here, you need insurance. What good is a job if you are too sick to work, and you can't get better to work because you don't have money to pay for care.

Healthcare is immensely better over there.

The labor market is immensely better over here.

I choose labor market.

[Anonymous]

I'm 100% okay with it b/c I don't want my ability to access healthcare for myself and my family tied to my employment, which is at-will and could end at any time.

Also, I'm not entirely motivated by self-interest and I care about other people. So, there's that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My company provided health insurance sucks. We are in DC have fewer than 20 employees, forced to buy insurance from DC health link. I'd welcome medicare for all.

The idea sounds great -- something wonderful for free.

The reality, of course, is that nothing is free. Europe has higher income tax--much higher than here for the middle class--, higher payroll taxes, and a crazy 25% VAT "sales" tax on all goods and services.

ya, but it is still very comfortable living there. Have you been there recently? It is quite nice.

It is nice as a tourist, not so much for many people living there.

Explain otherwise that 20-30% youth unemployment in many countries, the financial trouble of many countries in the South, the recession in Germany, the rise of the far right.

Signed
- European

Depends on how you look at it. The leading cause of death in Europe for children is not gun violence, like it is here. If you are poor or middle class, you would be better off in Europe than in the US. At least they will provide medical care if you or your loved one gets sick. Here, you need insurance. What good is a job if you are too sick to work, and you can't get better to work because you don't have money to pay for care.

Healthcare is immensely better over there.

The labor market is immensely better over here.

I choose labor market.

Because, by luck, you are healthy. That could change in a heartbeat. I was hit by a car. In that nanosecond, my life changed. Thank goodness I had insurance because of ACA.

[Anonymous]

PS - I am the PP above.

As a college student, I was able to access healthcare while on a study abroad in London - AT NO COST TO ME - that far exceeded the quality of anything I have ever received here. I had a serious allergic reaction and their drugs were more advanced than anything we had here at the time.

[Anonymous]

I would support Medicare for all if the fat cat pharma and insurance/healthcare execs all got severely reigned in. No more giant salaries, no more lobbyists. But unless/until that happens (ha!) then no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, this is a huge thing that will deeply affect my family. We currently have great health insurance and pretty much immediate access to any specialist we need. Deductibles are minimal.

Most of the Democratic candidates' plans will mean worse healthcare access for us, and I assume many folks. I find this really frustrating! How is this considered a winning issue. I'm not going to vote against my own self-interest.

Vote for your and your family interest first. If you are a democrat and really care about paying for someone's healthcare, just purchase a plan for a neighbor and pay for it.

OH for F**K'S sake. Grow up, PP. I work in philanthropy and I am sick to death of people like you who think personal charity is the answer to everything. Government policy is not and should not be substituted by the non-profit sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would support Medicare for all if the fat cat pharma and insurance/healthcare execs all got severely reigned in. No more giant salaries, no more lobbyists. But unless/until that happens (ha!) then no.

Like for example that Mylan/Epi Pen thing would NEVER have happened. I despise that woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also have great healthcare. But I’ve also been in the position of having none, and so I know what that’s like.

It’s an ethics question. You have to decide what your values are. Are you willing to put aside your own interests for the greater common good?

Most people in this country are not. And so here we are. [u]

Nailed it. American exceptionalism my A**. Our "rugged individualism" IMO is just another way of saying irredeemably selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m PP

We are also in DC.

Prior to ACA, you me employer had many more options of private plans. All gone now and forced to buy crap Obamacare plans at higher cost.

Word

Prior to ACA we couldn't get private insurance due to pre-existing conditions. ACA allowed us to become self employed.

Similar to this R in AZ:

Jeans told Ryan that he has campaigned for Republican candidates and, when the ACA was passed, told his wife that he would close his business rather than comply. The real-estate company he and his wife owned operated in two Midwestern states

"Then, at 49, I was given six weeks to live with a very curable type of cancer. We offered three times the cost of my treatments, which was rejected. They required an insurance card," Jeans said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I’m standing here today alive.

"Can I say one thing? I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart because I would be dead if it weren’t for him," Jeans said as the audience applauded.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2017/01/14/sedona-jeff-jeans-obamacare-aca-cnn-paul-ryan/96553138/


Pre ACA insurance plans had a lifetime cap at $250K, which you could easily reach if you had cancer. I know someone who did, and they died penniless and could no longer afford the treatement. That could be you one day.

-word..

Ah, the tactics of anecdote-driven fear.

What about the 2 million people who lost their insurance because of ACA.

Or the 7 million who had to pay a thousand bucks FINE not to have to buy overpriced insurance they didn't want.

Or the dozens of millions who had to pay those overpriced premiums.

Or the dozens of millions who realized their high-deductible "bronze" plans were essentially a scam.

Yeah yeah, let's f#ck 50 million people so that I don't end up penniless -- as if there were no other options on the table.

You know.. some of you are really pollyana about your health and life, like that R from AZ who got cancer. When I was younger (I'm 50), I thought the same as you - I'm healthy, why should I get insurance. Then I had kids and got older and realized that anything can happen.. like getting hit by a car or getting cancer. You think.. well, tough sh1t, that's on you. That's the mentality of people like you. It's like the wild west and every man for himself mentality. No wonder our country is going down the tubes.

I think we've all been waiting for other options that Trump and R promised. But .. "who knew healthcare was so complicated".. that the Rs couldn't even get their own healthcare plan to pass because some in their own party couldn't stand behind it. But, I'm sure you know more than Trump and healthcare professionals. So, let's hear it.. what's your great idea?