In a roundabout way I already have a kind of Medicare for All.

[elocs]

I am 67 and retired and under the 100% federal poverty level and have been on Medicare since I turned 65.
I don't have traditional Medicare but a Medicare Advantage plan with United Healthcare.
Since I am under the 100% federal poverty level I qualify for Medicaid.
So under my plan, Medicare is the first payer and what they don't cover, Medicaid does.
I also have vision and dental coverage and $200/quarter for over the counter meds.

The state pays my $135/month for Medicare Part B.

I have no monthly fee, no deductibles, and my only copay is $3.40 for each 90 day med supply. Also, I never see a bill.

My health insurance is great for me and I only needed to be as poor as the proverbial church mouse to get it as well as jumping through all the hoops. But don't tell any Republicans I have this because they'd want to take it away with their You're On Your Own philosophy.

[blm]

1. Thank you for this, elocs

[doc03]

2. My mother was in that position a few years ago once

she was totally broke.

[Autumn]

3. That is what Bernie and Liz want for all Americans.

We pay for insurance companies to receive massive subsidies when that money can go into Medicare and Medicaid.

[ehrnst]

13. So, about your choice of Tom Steyer for POTUS:

Tom Steyer Says He Can’t Disclose Hundreds of Millions in Financial Assets

Steyer declined to fully detail his holdings in 43 different investment vehicles, including hedge funds managed by Farallon Capital Management, the firm Steyer founded more than 30 years ago.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/tom-steyer-says-he-cant-disclose-hundreds-of-millions-in-financial-assets

How does this work with what Bernie and Liz want for all Americans?

[NYMinute]

14. lol nt

[NurseJackie]

16. Bazinga!

[sheshe2]

51. Woopsie.

[NYMinute]

15. Wish lists are not policy nt

[Autumn]

17. Policy begins with the wish list of the people. nt

[NYMinute]

20. No. Policy begins with a consensus

Not one man's (or woman's) ego.

There has to be a political consensus or wish lists go nowhere.

[Autumn]

21. A consensus of what their people want and need is what most politicians listen to.

Citizens and their "wish lists" are what makes our government act.

[NYMinute]

22. In this particular case, it is BS's wish list

and about 15% (+/-5) of the people nodding their heads.

That is not policy. There is no groundswell. There are no marches, demonstrations, media story bonanzas, documentaries, speeches from opinion leaders from diverse constituencies etc. to show that there is a consensus.

At the present moment, it is BS's wish list that a minority of people want to force on a majority. Primarily Northern White ultra liberals who want to hammer those ideas on the rest who are not willing to adopt them.

The reason people won't adopt them is because there is no plan. No budget. No action diagram. No Gantt chart. No spreadsheet. No legislative plan. Nothing. What is being told to people is, "We know these ideas are great because BS said so and you better bow down to them." Democracy doesn't work this way.

Give us a DETAILED plan with budgets down to pennies. Who are the winners and losers? Who will be taxed more and by how much? How much will the national debt increase? What will be the effect on existing businesses and their employees? What will be the economic impact by year for the next 10 years?

If I were floating it, I'd do my homework before the slogans and platitudes.

[Autumn]

23. No. That's not Sanders wish list anymore than fixing and improving Obama care is Bidens wish list.

People want healthcare. THAT'S just one thing on their wish list. Bernie has released his Medicare for all plan.

[BlueMississippi]

24. People want sensible health care -- not BS's wish list

which is powered by pixie dust and unicorns. What is the plan? What is the action flow chart? Where is the Gantt chart? How much will it cost? Who will pay the tax increases and by how much? What will be the cost to the economy? Who takes care of the displaced workers from health insurance companies?

The other poster pointed out the deficiencies to you and you have no answers. Only a vague "people want."

There are ZERO answers under BS's wish list plan -- only slogans.

[NYMinute]

25. That is not Biden's "wish list"

Biden has an actual PLAN which modifies the ACA to allow people to enroll in Medicare if they so wish.

It is the American way -- competition will drive prices down and instill efficiencies in the systems.

A public takeover of private enterprise is not American.

[Autumn]

27. As I said in my previous post, Bernie has released his MFA plan. You have a nice day. nt.

[NYMinute]

28. Bernie's plan is a wish list -- not a real "plan"

There are no specifics as I outlined in my posts above.

Either you can do idol-worship or be objective and point to the specifics that are required to build a consensus on health care.

Just because it came from person X doesn't make it a good plan. If you believe that it is a good plan, then you are not objectively assessing person X but following blindly.

[NurseJackie]

40. BS is always telling us what we "needta do" what we "oughta do" and what we "gotta do"... BUT...

BS is always telling us what we "needta do" what we "oughta do" and what we "gotta do"... BUT... there's never any realistic plan attached to it. Never any details of how we're going to get there, how it's going to get passed, and how it's going to be funded.

[NYMinute]

45. Yeah

It is like a wish of building a bridge across the pacific to Tokyo. We needta, oughtta and gotta do that.

Anyone who says it is nearly impossible, show us how you'll build 7,000 foot pillars every 200 feet in the middle of the Pacific is a corporatist and a naysayer.

[elocs]

47. I've been saying the same for a long time. No details, it will just magically happen

and it will be healthcare heaven on Earth, absolutely perfect.

[ehrnst]

38. The 2018 Blue Wave was won on a mandate to preserve and restore the ACA.

People want the ACA to be put back on track.

[ehrnst]

39. Poll: Most Democrats Prefer a Presidential Candidate Who Wants to Build on the Affordable Care Act

53% of Public View the ACA Favorably as Democratic Support for the 2010 Law Reaches All-Time High; Poll Also Finds Strong Bipartisan Support for Surprise Billing Legislation

https://www.kff.org/health-reform/press-release/poll-most-democrats-prefer-a-presidential-candidate-who-wants-to-build-on-the-affordable-care-act/

[sheshe2]

52. "Their People?"

Autumn
21. A consensus of what their people want and need is what most politicians listen to.

Citizens and their "wish lists" are what makes our government act.

It should be for all the people. Not 'Me'. 'US'.

We the people. All of us. Everyone of us.

[ehrnst]

37. + 1000. A smaller group of people who are very emotional don't decide

what the consensus is, simply because they are more emotional the majority.

That's why we need to get rid of caucuses during the primaries.

We also see that with gun nuts. The vast majority of people want safer gun laws, but the religious ferver .

The vast majority of people want the ACA to be put back on track - it's the mandate that carried the blue wave in 2018. A smaller group of people who are "Bernie's M4A or Bust" isn't the mandate - at least for Democrats.

KFF polling finds more Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents would prefer voting for a candidate who wants to build on the ACA in order to expand coverage and reduce costs rather than replace the ACA with a national Medicare-for-all plan (Figure 15). So while the general idea of a national health plan (whether accomplished through an expansion of Medicare or some other way) may enjoy fairly broad support in the abstract, it remains unclear how this issue will play out in the 2020 election and beyond.

https://www.kff.org/slideshow/public-opinion-on-single-payer-national-health-plans-and-expanding-access-to-medicare-coverage/

And on top of that, it seems that a lot of people aren't really clear about what is and isn't in Bernie's plan.

Current KFF polling finds that Americans know little about how the leading Medicare-for-all proposals would reshape the way all Americans get and pay for health care (Figure 11) and public support for Medicare-for-all shifts significantly when people hear arguments about potential tax increases or delays in medical tests and treatment (Figure 12). KFF polling also shows many people falsely assume they would be able to keep their current health insurance under a single-payer plan (Figure 13), suggesting another potential area for decreased support especially since most supporters (67 percent) of such a proposal think they would be able to keep their current health insurance coverage (Figure 14).

https://www.kff.org/slideshow/public-opinion-on-single-payer-national-health-plans-and-expanding-access-to-medicare-coverage/

[ehrnst]

48. What if the people aren't really clear on what they're being promised as the solution?

It seems that a lot of people aren't really clear about what is and isn't in Bernie's plan.

Current KFF polling finds that Americans know little about how the leading Medicare-for-all proposals would reshape the way all Americans get and pay for health care (Figure 11) and public support for Medicare-for-all shifts significantly when people hear arguments about potential tax increases or delays in medical tests and treatment (Figure 12). KFF polling also shows many people falsely assume they would be able to keep their current health insurance under a single-payer plan (Figure 13), suggesting another potential area for decreased support especially since most supporters (67 percent) of such a proposal think they would be able to keep their current health insurance coverage (Figure 14).

https://www.kff.org/slideshow/public-opinion-on-single-payer-national-health-plans-and-expanding-access-to-medicare-coverage/

Not good. I remember how the GOP took "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor" and used it to discredit Obama on the ACA.

IMAGINE what they'll do with this.

[yardwork]

55. Why are supporting Steyer, then?

[Autumn]

56. Because I like him and haven't decided on just one yet. Why do you support Liz? nt

[yardwork]

57. I think that Warren is awesome.

[Doreen]

4. I love my United health.

I am in the right bracket for no premium or deductible but my co-pays vary on what I am getting done.

I never thought I would get another pair of glasses when I got divorced and no longer had my husband visual but then I got United Health Care and I can get glasses the usual every two years. I was actually able to see a dermatologist for some skin issues.

I was on just plain old Medicare and could not see a specialist unless a family doctor recommended me to one and getting them to do that was like pulling their teeth without novocaine.

[elocs]

6. "I was actually able to see a dermatologist for some skin issues."

I had 2 moles removed last week, go back next week to get the stitches removed and get 2 more removed. The moles did turn out to be the kind that could become cancerous, but they were entirely removed.

I finally got a primary care physician who listened to me when I said that I wanted to have the moles on my back looked at because I just cannot see them well and to get a record of just what the ones I have look like now so it will be noticed if they change in the future.

I've had my eye exam, I still need to go and get new glasses.

[Doreen]

9. I was actually was able to get skin tags removed.

When I was on just Medicare there was no way in hell they would take off skin tags.

[Autumn]

18. Those supplemental programs are fantastic. My SIL has United Health Care . nt

[NYMinute]

29. ooooooh .. you love them private for-profit insurance companies

[Autumn]

31. As it is now you have to have supplementals, what they currently provide will be in MFA.

The plan is available to read.

[NYMinute]

32. I've read it

It doesn't take away the fact that Americans trust private companies and competition between them. This gives them some control of taking their business elsewhere if there is poor service.

When their health care is at risk, they don't want to deal with a government bureaucracy at the most trying period in their life. Who wants to deal with a giant DMVesque or IRSesque bureaucracy when one is sick? It is unamerican!

[elocs]

5. For any poor retired out there & you hear, "Are you getting all the benefits you deserve?",

check it out.
Traditional Medicare would have screwed me with my pants on with $2000 deductibles every 6 months.

So jump through the hoops and get whatever healthcare benefits you qualify to get even though you are poor because the wealthy and rich corporations don't think twice about getting anything they qualify to receive.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. That is a lot of deductible!!! I can see that happening if there were two confinements

My deductible is only $185 annually for physician services and the Part A deductible is $1364 per confinement, and no copay for 60 days. I would not pay any deductible if I am not in the hospital.

So I am just trying to find out why you had $2000 deductibles every 6 months?

[Autumn]

19. A $4000 deductible a year is insane.

[elocs]

33. $2000/6 months is not $4000/year because I would need to be recertified every 6 months. n/t

[Autumn]

34. After 6 months when you are recertified would it be another $2000 deductible for the second half,

or does the $2000 deductible carry over? Still, that's a crazy deductible for Medicare. I'm glad you got your better plan.

[elocs]

36. Yes, it starts over again for the 2nd six months of my year.

The $2000 figure came from my county's Aging and Disability Resource Center worker who was certifying me on the phone in order for the state to pay the $135/month for Part B that would be taken out of my SS check.
I thought it was high because before I had turned 65 I was on BadgerCare, Wisconsin's Medicaid for adults without children,
and there were no deductibles and the only copay was $1.25 per prescription, but with no dental or vision coverage.

[Blue_true]

7. Your example is what everyone should have.

Your scripts bill run roughly the same as mine, maybe a tad higher. I don't have Medicare for All, but I also have never paid more than $500 annually for copays/deductibles and scripts. The largest bill that I have ever seen was $75 for a set of shots after a dog bit me while I was out riding a bicycle.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. I think I read somewhere that 40% of the country is already on government healthcare

Between Medicare, Medicaid, VA, State and Country programs, etc.

This jumbled up mess of split risk pools is stupid, unsustainable, inefficient, and the reason we spend twice as much as necessary.

We can cover everybody for less than what we spend.

[NYMinute]

30. Do you know who said that first and tried to merge them?

Hillary Clinton in 1993.

The person who was vilified and demonized right here on DU by you know who.

[Kaleva]

42. By Obama supporters?

I remember well how Hillary was attacked here in 2008

[NYMinute]

43. Obama supporters

did not call her "establishment", "corrupt", "incompetent", "corporatist" and other choice names. This is more recent.

[Kaleva]

44. Yes they did. Read the archived threads covering the 2008 primary.

[NYMinute]

46. I recall spirited opposition to HRC in 2008

but it was never venomous or designed to kneecap her in case she won the nomination. There also was no talk of rigging, DNC meddling and voting third party. It is because the person they were supporting would have put a stop to such tactics unlike later.

[Kaleva]

49. Some samples from Jan. 17, '08 archives.

"Hillary Clinton: The Campaign of Hopelessness.

Potential slogans for the new bumper stickers they're going to be printing, based on what's coming out of Hillary and her supporters.

Hillary Clinton: Because we can't afford real change.

Hillary Clinton: Because we shouldn't bother actually trying to win the swing states.

Hillary Clinton: Because lobbyists, the insurance companies, and the defense industry weren't making enough money before.

Hillary Clinton: Because business as usual is good enough. "


"Just another reason to reject the pandering fool Hillary.

I'm not any kind of pacifist but cluster bombs in a civilian area is simple fucking war crimes.

I'm disgusted that there is even a debate in this country about such unnecessary and inhumane tactics (and torture)."


"The undecided, the lazy, the uninformed who at the last minute

went with name recognition.

Hillary's base."


" Desperate words from a desperate campaign.

We will not allow the desperate Hillary campaign to pull a Bush and steal the nomination from the will of the voters."

There were a few dozen threads started that day but I quickly skimmed over a few of them and picked the above. I think we both can see that if I wanted to spend a little more time on this, I could prove that the attacks on Hillary were often well above "spirited" and were often venomous.

[NYMinute]

50. That is standard primary fare

That is not what I observed in later years.

[Kaleva]

53. I'll qoute other posts making fun of her "cackle" and calling her "hysterical"

I got projects to do today so I'll get it done this weekend sometime.

[Kaleva]

54. Some samples from Archives: March 1, 2008

" Hillary's swiss cheese vetting

This company is neck deep in a broad spectrum of crime. Here is a letter sent to Clinton last fall from over 20 small companies defrauded by Clinton's benefactor. It details the myriad reasons she should have disassociated herself from the company and returned their contributions, as have other politicians, including Obama and the Illinois governor.

This guy has held multiple fund raisers for Clinton, and has been convicted of patronizing a 16 year old prostitute, possession of drugs, perjury, larceny, etc., and the company's attorney has been identified as "Individual H" in the Illinois criminal indictment of Tony Rezko. The sexual harassment allegations/suit is described as probably the most eggregious ever filed by the Chicago office of EEOC. (Well ladies, don't turn to Clinton for help with sexual harassment charges.) "

" Hillary is the quintessential ya-gotta-pay-to-play candidate.

If you've got the money, honey, she's got the time."

" Be afraid!

I am so sick of this crap.

Hillary has already shown us her terrible judgment when it mattered. Her ad is ironic beyond belief.

Thank God the voters are not as stupid or afraid as H. Clinton believes them to be."

"She ran as a Republican spouting Republican tactics

which only appeal to Republicans -- which probably make up 90% of the 48%."

"Hillary "gored" herself...

her shrill, screaming, temper-tantrums and "mothering" to a intelligent electorate didn't help. I saw a side of Hillary that I've NEVER seen before. Barbara Boxer would have done a better job.

It's not about voting for a woman. It's about her politics. "

https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/archives.php?date=2008x3x1

[dflprincess]

11. My mother was on a similar plan "Minnesota Senior Health Options" (MSHO)

Though she had traditional Medicare combined with a Medicaid plan administered by a private (not for profit) insurer. It was incredible coverage, though it did not cover any dental, but did cover vision and hearing (including hearing aids). I've often thought we need MSHO for all, not Medicare for all.

I'm curious why you went with an Advantage plan rather than traditional Medicare. They tend to have narrower networks and appear to be a way for the private insurers to undercut Medicare itself

[elocs]

12. I initially chose traditional Medicare

and then when I talked with a social worker at my county's Aging and Disability Resource Center when I was seeking help for that $135/month for Part B that my deductible would be $2000 every 6 months since to get it I would need to be recertified every 6 months. I was never told I had any other options.
Then I saw all of the tv ads for the Medicare Advantage plans and checked them out.
Due to my just over $1000/month income I qualified for the no monthly payments, no deductible plan.

After I retired at 62 and before I turned 65 and went to Medicare I was on BadgerCare, Wisconsin's Medicaid for adults without children and it paid for everything, but had no vision or dental coverage. I hadn't known that you could be on Medicare and Medicaid at the same time and had been disappointed that initially I had worse coverage under Medicare to which I had paid in to rather than Medicaid.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

26. Medicare Advantage plans are awesome.

I'm sorry you're so very poor, but at least you have good health coverage.

[elocs]

35. Why my healthcare plan is NOT like Medicare for All:

First of all, I am on the actual Medicare that everybody is familiar with and which I had paid into for decades. I've wondered why MFA is called "Medicare" for All and then an explanation is needed as to why it is not the Medicare that everybody knows.

Also, I am on a Medicare Advantage plan administered by a private insurance company and as I understand it, there would be no private health insurance permitted under Medicare for All.

Finally, the only reason I have the health insurance coverage I do is because I am poor and have jumped through all the hoops I needed to in order to get what I have.
I still must be recertified by my state every year in order to remain eligible and if I blow that off or forget about it after I have received reminders then bye, bye the health insurance coverage I have.

[Kaleva]

41. I have Medicare and VA. My bills are very minimal. $5.00 copay for meds.