Medicare for All?

This may be shocking to some of you, but many experts feel as if the politicians leading the charge towards massive health care reform really want Medicare for all Americans. Of course, you have to recall that, in the early 1960’s; Medicare was a very revolutionary idea. In fact, the US lead health reform when it provided Medicare, which is, of course, now our old and reliable federally run health plan for senior citizens and disabled people.

What was controversial and revolutionary 50 years ago has become regarded as a right by this generation of retired people. And how else could older people possibly afford health insurance? How did they do it back in the old days? Honestly, I have no idea, and I do not know anybody who remembers. Oh, we can surmise that health care did not cost as much back then, but obviously affording health care was a problem for many seniors in the early to middle 20th century, and that’s why our senior citizens have Medicare health insurance now.

Public Plans will Force Private Companies to Comply

Representative Peter Stark, who favors Medicare for all, contends that the Democrats are being very clear on this point. See, they have no way to force the private sector to lower costs or accept high risk applicants. But what they can do is compete with the pubic sector with a plan that will be very attractive to many Americans, and even many businesses.

• The public health insurance plan will probably have strict guidelines for the prices of medical services. If providers do not comply, they will lose patients.
• A public health insurance plan with no declines for pre-existing conditions, affordable premiums, and good coverage will attract individuals and businesses who are straining under the weight of spiking health insurance and health care costs.
• Some private insurers and medical service providers will hold out for higher prices. The health insurance companies will probably provide supplemental plans, like Medicare supplements, to allow their customers to choose a higher priced service. That option will be open to more affluent people and companies, of course.
• But many medical service providers will do everything they can to keep the millions of Americans who have transferred their health insurance to the new public plan. Hopefully, they will find more ways to be efficient.

Is This Socialism?

This is not really socialism. It is simply evolution. Many high quality medical service providers make their living off of Medicare patients today, and many more will do the same if we have Medicare for all. They will have to work hard to provide high qualify care within price guidelines or the pubic plan can take away their contract to provide services.

Will Medicare For All Americans Be Awful?

We will need to have an agency overseeing this, just like CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid) does for Medicare. Hopefully, if patients have to endure a long wait to see a doctor or get a medical service scheduled, they can have a responsive government body that will follow up on their complaints.

I know that CMS is very protective of its seniors and disabled people. And CHIPS (Children’s Health Plan) makes sure that children from moderate income families get first class medical care.

A Private Health Care Market Can Still Thrive

Other providers will not buckle, and they will probably find a market among those who can afford private insurance or pay out of pocket costs with their own checkbook. In addition, when many Americans have more affordable premiums, they may be able to afford important supplements like disability income insurance.

Insurance agents will still have plenty to do. Plenty of insurance professionals make their living in the senior health insurance market today, and we have Medicare.

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