Medicare for all USA? You would be forced to dump your health plan and go onto the government health plan.

Kamala Harris proposes this plan. Basically the government would go into the health insurance business and it would provide all of our health care. She says it would be FREE...free free free free...free frefree free frefree. 🤭 In other words, seniors would no longer have over $340 per month withdrawn for Medicare for their social security. (Why do I get the feeling this is never going to happen?)

I don't know why, but it occurs to me that the huge wealthy health insurance industry might object. I have the feeling that some big money will pile up against Kamala Harris.

I suspect if it did happen, it would be something like V.A. healthcare.

Here's an example of VA healthcare: A friend of mine needed some dental work done by a bone implant specialist. First the VA lied to him and told him the regular dentist was a bone implant specialist, and then when he kicked up a fuss after that dentist botched the job, they gave him the name of the new specialist they are employing, who just finished studying up on the process after fleeing San Francisco because he was a one or two star (out of five) dentist on Healthgrades in San Francisco, and could no longer get patients.

My friend has gone back more than four times, and the VA dentist who did his root canal spent nine hours on it. Root canal for nine hours. Wow.

Even if this plan did not emulate the V.A., I have heard that good doctors would flee. They decided to become doctors to make a LOT of money, not to be paid at Medicare rates. That is why, when you have Medicare, you can't find a doctor who accepts it easily.

Your thoughts? Pros and Cons. I know it's awfully hard, but please try not to be mean and abusive.

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bowman81 · M

Nothing the government does is free.

4meAndyou · F

@bowman81 I think it's time for the "Woke" folks to wake up to that simple fact.

Docdon23 · M

@bowman81 Neither is anything private capitalists do--they need to maintain their huge profit margins and salaries...we do need those billionaires, don't we...

4meAndyou · F

@Docdon23 I think that Kamala Harris saying that this Medicare for all plan will be free is deceptive, because we would all have to pay for it, just as we now pay for private health insurance or for Medicare. It's just that our money would be funneled directly to the government. Our ability to choose our health care would be removed, and I believe the quality of the health care we all receive would be similar to that of the V.A. which is so poorly managed now.

Docdon23 · M

@4meAndyou I do not disagree with you on these points--but the richest country in the world needs to find a way to get healthcare for everyone, and to also cut costs...our present system needs improvement. Personally, I am a compromiser--I think there are ways to satisfy both opposing perspectives--I have a medication that is $15,000...at least that is what they charge...and that is way overpriced...there are many other problems that need fixing...costs are a huge problem, and you are right--nothing is free, nothing the government does is free, and I agree competition (capitalism) usually produces the best results, but not with everything (police, fire, military--they are all government run, as are public schools...)

4meAndyou · F

@Docdon23 Whatever happens with our healthcare, I hope and pray you will always have coverage for that medication. If you ever have a problem with covering it, remember gofundme.

Docdon23 · M

@4meAndyou Thank you!! I am OK, so far--to be honest, I worry far more about the poor the disadvantaged--and the elderly...I am sure there are many...and children of these people...not getting adequate care...that breaks my heart...we are the richest country in the world, and a good place with good people--we need to find ways to care for these less fortunate than us...and we do have enough wealth to do this, really...

4meAndyou · F

@Docdon23 Yes, and we do have Medicaid for those who can not afford their own healthcare.

Docdon23 · M

@4meAndyou But Medicaid does NOT cover the working poor...and has its own costs..

4meAndyou · F

@Docdon23 That's very true. It's there for the poorest and their dependents, AND for emergencies. I guess the feeling has always been (and this is traditional) that if you are able bodied and can work, you can pay for your own stuff.

I remember when the ex got fired from his job and decided to start his own business. That year I was only working part time at the Homeless shelter, and we had no insurance, so he had to join a group (Better Business Bureau) to get lower health insurance rates and we paid for our own.

But no one tells you what to do when you get so sick you can no longer work. I suppose Medicaid would be an option then, as long as you didn't own your own home or an expensive vehicle.