I have a simple solution for the healthcare issue...

[kentuck]

Charge 5% of income, no matter if it is a paycheck, a Social Security check, or a welfare check and give everyone a medical card, or they can use their Social Security card, and they can show that to any doctor they wish to visit. The doctor sends the itemized bill to the government, or if you prefer, to we, the people. There is no middle man. It goes into your own account. If there is a shortfall, raise taxes to pay for it. Problem solved.

[Buzz Clik]

1. Neal Boortz now considers you a fan.

:shrug:

[kentuck]

2. Neil Boortz is a fan of single payer?

I didn't know that??

[Buzz Clik]

4. flat tax...

[kentuck]

6. Most people pay more than 5% of their paychecks now...

So, in effect, it would be a taxcut. There is no free lunch and most people understand that. They could still keep the coverage they have now if they wish.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. I thought Boortz's plan had nothing to do with income but was like a VAT?

A flat tax on goods and services, I thought. I used to listen to him occasionally when driving around for my job. He is one of the biggest blowhards out there.

[LWolf]

5. I do, too. HR 676. nt

[Gwendolyn]

7. Interesting, creative idea.

Except all the single payer countries already thought of it before you. :D

[kentuck]

8. Aw shucks!

I'm always a day late and a dollar short! :-)

[Gwendolyn]

13. But you can take comfort in...

"great minds think alike."

Most, if not all, single payer countries use your scenario as the foundation, then might either augment with a small co-pay for doctor visits and the like, or with a VAT. But essentially, that's how it works. :)

[kentuck]

14. Seems so logical, doesn't it?

At least, to me. :shrug:

[stray cat]

9. 10% is probably more like it - more possibly if you will supplement those who can't pay

health care isn't cheap and someone has to make up for those who can't pay. Also, 10% of a lower income won't cover much at all so others will have to compensate for lower incomes.

[kentuck]

12. Don't forget that insurance companies ...

make almost $400 billion profit per year on our illnesses.

[Salviati]

10. Throw in investment income, capital gains, dividends, etc...

and I'm sure that there's no way there would be a shortfall...

Of course, with those provisions, there's also no way it would be passed either.

[leftstreet]

11. Just divert my share of Bomb money to Bandaid money pls n/t