U.S. House Democrats introduce sweeping 'Medicare for All' bill

[webfact]

U.S. House Democrats introduce sweeping 'Medicare for All' bill

By Yasmeen Abutaleb

 

FILE PHOTO: An emergency sign points to the entrance to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, U.S. March 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.

 

The bill, unveiled by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the U.S. healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank.

 

It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote.

 

"Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market."

 

Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care.

 

It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.

 

The idea of Medicare for All was first proposed by Independent Bernie Sanders in 2017 as a single-payer system that would largely replace private insurance. It gained traction among Democrats running for congressional office in 2018, and is now a central campaign issue for party members vying for the 2020 presidential nomination.

 

A Reuters/IPSOS poll in August found that 70 percent of Americans support some sort of single-payer system.

 

The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group.

 

"This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system."

 

The House proposal unveiled on Tuesday would not eliminate private health insurance entirely, as it would allow patients to purchase supplemental coverage. Many Americans under the age of 65 rely on private insurance provided by their employer.

 

A single-payer system is variously understood as one in which the government pays for healthcare for more people, or one where the governments owns health services providers and manages all aspects of care, such as in the United Kingdom.

 

Several U.S. Democratic lawmakers have introduced different versions of expanded Medicare, such as allowing people aged 50 and older to buy into the program.

 

The new House proposal would cover most aspects of patients' care, including primary care, hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, audiology, women's reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care.

 

(Reporting by Yasmeen Abutaleb; Additional reporting by Amanda Becker and Susan Cornwell in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-27

[thaibeachlovers]

In this case I support the Dems 100%.

The US health system, from my perspective, is terrible and all about profit, when it should be about people needing health care. 

However, they need to take care it doesn't become hijacked by the politicians, bureaucrats and management as the NHS has been.

Edited February 26, 2019 by thaibeachlovers

[Chomper Higgot]

18 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

In this case I support the Dems 100%.

The US health system, from my perspective, is terrible and all about profit, when it should be about people needing health care. 

However, they need to take care it doesn't become hijacked by the politicians, bureaucrats and management as the NHS has been.

The US healthcare system has already been hijacked by insurers and big pharma.

 

Your accusation that the NHS has been ‘hijacked’ is a fiction of the UK’s right wing press.

 

Underfunded, yes, hijacked, no.

[lannarebirth]

22 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

In this case I support the Dems 100%.

The US health system, from my perspective, is terrible and all about profit, when it should be about people needing health care. 

However, they need to take care it doesn't become hijacked by the politicians, bureaucrats and management as the NHS has been.

 

The Democrats only introduced it because they know it doesn't have a chance in hell of passing. It's just an opportunity to embarass Republicans. Most "mainstream" Democrats don't want universal healthcare any more than Republicans do. It's the money they love. And in America everything's about the money.

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/kirsten-gillibrand-fundraiser-donations-pfizer-executive-2019-2

[thaibeachlovers]

I worked in the NHS for 10 years and IMO it has been hijacked by politicians, bureaucrats and management. 

It was given 6 billion quid by Gordon, and they wasted most of it. I was working in the NHS at the time and I saw what they did with it. 

If the US ever has a similar system they need to learn from the NHS and avoid the pitfalls.

Edited February 26, 2019 by thaibeachlovers

[Samui Bodoh]

"...The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group. 

"This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system.,,"

 

The single-payer system, when the kinks are worked out, would deliver superior healthcare to ALL Americans, as it does in every other Industrialized, first-world country. In Canada, the health system delivers care to ALL citizens, gets better outcomes, and costs half of the US system (yes, that is correct. It costs HALF of what the US system costs AND gets better results!). The evidence is crystal clear if one has the good sense to stop listening to those who would lose financially with the change; no longer would the vultures at the insurance companies and the hospital companies be able to reap billions in profit off of sick Americans, and that is why they oppose it.

 

Hey USA! Why not join the civilized world and care for your citizens? Simply put, it is both cheaper all around and better for all.

 

 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Samui Bodoh

[Thailand]

But where will the money for the wall come from if this gets passed?

[stevenl]

Excellent initiative.

[Trouble]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.

Great to propose a program but nothing specific about paying for it.  I believe the estimated cost of Bernie's Medicare for all is about $1.4 trillion a year. 2018 Budget is about 4.094 Trillion, revenue 3.654 Trillion, deficit of 440 billion. So let's add another 1.4 trillion to  the deficit.  There is just no way to tax to pay for another 1.4 trillion. Taking this a step further 45% of Americans pay no federal income taxes.  Top 20% pay almost 87% of all federal income taxes. Wonder how much these people think they can squeeze out of 20% of the people?

 

With the new tax laws for 2018 there are not many loopholes left to close.  The few loopholes left for individual tax payers help stimulate investment. Start screwing with that and it could seriously dry up investment.  They had better be really careful about what they propose.

Edited February 27, 2019 by Trouble

[Tug]

Sure would be nice to get something for my taxes for a change 

[Cryingdick]

10 minutes ago, Trouble said:

 

Great to propose a program but nothing specific about paying for it.  I believe the estimated cost of Bernie's Medicare for all is about $1.4 trillion a year. 2018 Budget is about 4.094 Trillion, revenue 3.654 Trillion, deficit of 440 billion. So let's add another 1.4 trillion to  the deficit.  There is just no way to tax to pay for another 1.4 trillion. Taking this a step further 45% of Americans pay no federal income taxes.  Top 20% pay almost 87% of all federal income taxes. Wonder how much these people think they can squeeze out of 20% of the people?

 

With the new tax laws for 2018 there are not many loopholes left to close.  The few loopholes left for individual tax payers help stimulate investment. Start screwing with that and it could seriously dry up investment.  They had better be really careful about what they propose.

 

This is where it always falls apart. Maybe there would need to be a 25% VAT on everything sold? I would be against it but it would be refreshing if they can actually make a proposal that has a source of funding that isn't based upon fairy dust.

 

Billionaires don't leave their money sitting in an account waiting to be taxed. 

[ReMarKable]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

In this case I support the Dems 100%.

The US health system, from my perspective, is terrible and all about profit, when it should be about people needing health care. 

However, they need to take care it doesn't become hijacked by the politicians, bureaucrats and management as the NHS has been.

I saw a Brit physician in Bangkok last week and she was the most arrogant, pompous and condescending physician I have ever been to.  I attributed this to here experience in the NHS where bedside manner is apparently not necessary.  Will never see her again, but would not like American physicians to develop the degree of god complex she has.

[samran]

36 minutes ago, Trouble said:

 

Great to propose a program but nothing specific about paying for it.  I believe the estimated cost of Bernie's Medicare for all is about $1.4 trillion a year. 2018 Budget is about 4.094 Trillion, revenue 3.654 Trillion, deficit of 440 billion. So let's add another 1.4 trillion to  the deficit.  There is just no way to tax to pay for another 1.4 trillion. Taking this a step further 45% of Americans pay no federal income taxes.  Top 20% pay almost 87% of all federal income taxes. Wonder how much these people think they can squeeze out of 20% of the people?

 

With the new tax laws for 2018 there are not many loopholes left to close.  The few loopholes left for individual tax payers help stimulate investment. Start screwing with that and it could seriously dry up investment.  They had better be really careful about what they propose.

Hmmm, let’s see.

 

So there is an effective stealth tax in the US on employers to pay for insurance for employees. For everyone else, there are inflated premiums. 

 

Under single payer, that doesn’t happen. Lots of money saved right there. 

 

Look up the stats. The US health system costs twice of those for other similarly developed countries with worse outcome and coverage.

 

In what other areas of life do you pay double for crappier service?

 

And no, it isn’t socialism and I can see a doctor anytime I want. And those doctors still are amongst the best paid and send their kids to the nicest schools driven in nice cars from nice suburbs. 

Edited February 27, 2019 by samran

[JAG]

28 minutes ago, ReMarKable said:

I saw a Brit physician in Bangkok last week and she was the most arrogant, pompous and condescending physician I have ever been to.  I attributed this to here experience in the NHS where bedside manner is apparently not necessary.  Will never see her again, but would not like American physicians to develop the degree of god complex she has.

You may of course just have had the misfortune to have met an arrogant, pompous and condescending person. They exist in just about all walks of life everywhere, and are not really a justification or excuse for the embarrassing inability of the world's richest nation to provide anything approaching universal healthcare.

Edited February 27, 2019 by JAG

[Thainesss]

Let me see if ive got this straight: 

 

Democrats force through Obamacare while lying through their teeth about it (Thanks Pelosi and Obama) and in the process completely screwed most of the middle class with skyrocketing costs and lower coverage, in an attempt to help the poor - all the while calling the right, and critics of obamacare liars for YEARS.

 

NOW they are admitting that healthcare prices are "rising" (due to their own garbage policy) but only while framing it as a political stunt and dig against the right and conservatives. 

 

Democrats man. Playing politics with peoples lives and peoples money and lying like hell about it. 

[Thainesss]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

"Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday.

 

Literally Dying. Literally.

 

Weird, why dont those people get obamacare? You know, that whole thing that the left (her party) forced through.

[Jingthing]

 
Literally Dying. Literally.
 
Weird, why dont those people get obamacare? You know, that whole thing that the left (her party) forced through.

Expanded medicaid which is part of Obamacare is not offered in many republican controlled states. That's one of multiple reasons.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[JAG]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system."

When a significant proportion of your population have no access to healthcare,  a one-size-fits-all government system seems like rather like a good idea. Whilst not as svelte and sophisticated as the tailored system whic exists for those who can afford it,  the one-size-fits-all garment does at least cover the embarrassment of a significant proportion of your population (in the wealthiest nation on the planet), having no access to healthcare.

Edited February 27, 2019 by JAG

[Chomper Higgot]

15 minutes ago, Thainesss said:

Let me see if ive got this straight: 

 

Democrats force through Obamacare while lying through their teeth about it (Thanks Pelosi and Obama) and in the process completely screwed most of the middle class with skyrocketing costs and lower coverage, in an attempt to help the poor - all the while calling the right, and critics of obamacare liars for YEARS.

 

NOW they are admitting that healthcare prices are "rising" (due to their own garbage policy) but only while framing it as a political stunt and dig against the right and conservatives. 

 

Democrats man. Playing politics with peoples lives and peoples money and lying like hell about it. 

Erm......You’ve not got that straight.

Edited February 27, 2019 by Chomper Higgot

[Thainesss]

Democrats - such slimey politicians that they can get away with lying for years and years and years directly to peoples faces about healthcare costs under their policy, but then introduce new policy that clearly admits that their old policy was a blatant failure and STILL manage to get their liberal base to support it like they are some kind of saviors for trying to fix a problem they created in the first place. 

[Thainesss]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Expanded medicaid which is part of Obamacare is not offered in many republican controlled states. That's one of multiple reasons.

 

Ah yes, the old "Republicans Fault" argument for everything thats wrong. 

[Thainesss]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Erm......You’ve not got that straight.

 

Do you partake in the US Healthcare system? 

[longtom]

Whilst i like the genral idea (everybody must get healthcare in a civilized country, period), why does it have to be medicare for all?
Look at the Switzerland model, everybody must have healthcare, but from private insurers! If you can't pay the premiums, governement steps in (social security).
This way the americans can keep their beloved private companies, there is still competition amongst insurers, but they cannot refute anybody!
I think that would better fit the US than a NHS model.



Sent from my SM-J250F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[thaibeachlovers]

14 minutes ago, Thainesss said:

 

"Free at point of delivery" 

 

I find it rather funny that its phrased in that way. There certainly isnt anything free about it, yet the term is still injected into the subject. 

 

Politicians that tout medicare for all should show what their tax policy will be with these positions. Show people what its going to cost them, and be transparent about it. But they never do. 

It may not be "free", but if one has a severe illness like cancer it's a saviour not having to pay extra for anything. One cancer patient can cost thousands of pounds, and other than what they paid in national insurance ( if that's what it's called-  I forget ), and many don't pay anything being on the dole, it is "free" to all intents and purposes.

My country has "free" health care in hospital, but getting a referral to a public hospital costs ( GP fees which are high ) and apparently there is a long waiting list. For the rich there are private hospitals and quick service. Good health care is for the rich and the poor can go die quietly, thank you.

[Thainesss]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

It may not be "free", but if one has a severe illness like cancer it's a saviour not having to pay extra for anything. One cancer patient can cost thousands of pounds, and other than what they paid in national insurance ( if that's what it's called-  I forget ), and many don't pay anything being on the dole, it is "free" to all intents and purposes.

My country has "free" health care in hospital, but getting a referral to a public hospital costs ( GP fees which are high ) and apparently there is a long waiting list. For the rich there are private hospitals and quick service. Good health care is for the rich and the poor can go die quietly, thank you.

 

All agreed, but the problem is what is it going to cost individual taxpayers. 

 

Id be willing to bet the number would be approximately "a shit ton". 

 

So unless that figure is known, or concealed, its just a pipe dream. 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, Thainesss said:

 

Ah yes, the old "Republicans Fault" argument for everything thats wrong. 

No -- it's a fact. The old "trump" fan disregard for facts.

 

https://familiesusa.org/product/50-state-look-medicaid-expansion

Edited February 27, 2019 by Jingthing

[Chippy151]

1 hour ago, Thainesss said:

Let me see if ive got this straight: 

 

Democrats force through Obamacare while lying through their teeth about it (Thanks Pelosi and Obama) and in the process completely screwed most of the middle class with skyrocketing costs and lower coverage, in an attempt to help the poor - all the while calling the right, and critics of obamacare liars for YEARS.

 

NOW they are admitting that healthcare prices are "rising" (due to their own garbage policy) but only while framing it as a political stunt and dig against the right and conservatives. 

 

Democrats man. Playing politics with peoples lives and peoples money and lying like hell about it. 

Or you can continue the way it is.

No universal health care.

Just like lots of third world countries.

[Thainesss]

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No -- it's a fact. The old "trump" fan disregard for facts.

 

Just so we’re clear - you think it’s the rebublicans fault that Obamacare was such a democrat failure, and that same party is now going for Medicare for all? 

 

[Boon Mee]

1 hour ago, Thainesss said:

Let me see if ive got this straight: 

 

Democrats force through Obamacare while lying through their teeth about it (Thanks Pelosi and Obama) and in the process completely screwed most of the middle class with skyrocketing costs and lower coverage, in an attempt to help the poor - all the while calling the right, and critics of obamacare liars for YEARS.

 

NOW they are admitting that healthcare prices are "rising" (due to their own garbage policy) but only while framing it as a political stunt and dig against the right and conservatives. 

 

Democrats man. Playing politics with peoples lives and peoples money and lying like hell about it. 

A pig in the poke. Pie in the sky. Always something for relatively nothing. 

Medicare for all would bankrupt the country full stop. 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, Boon Mee said:

A pig in the poke. Pie in the sky. Always something for relatively nothing. 

Medicare for all would bankrupt the country full stop. 

If that were true, Britain would be broke. Health care for all is only right.

A country is supposed to care for ALL its citizens, not just the rich.