Here's the thing. I'm for something like Medicare for All, but I don't think even one Republican in Congress would support it and the Dems can't pass it without some help from the other party. Plus, I've done some recent research on Bernie's unrealistic plan. He wants no premiums, and coverage for everything including dental, vision, long term care and regular health care. That could cost up to 30 to 40 trillion bucks over the next 10 years, according to what I've read, although some studies claim it will be far less than that. it's a nice idea but totally unrealistic, especially considering the current debt of the US government.
The Bernie plan is to have a 4% tax to pay for it as well as a wealth tax. But anyone who makes less than around 30K would not have to pay the 4% tax. Imo, that's an insane idea and I'll tell you why.
First of all Medicare pays doctors quite a bit less compared to private insurance, so knowing doctors as well as I do from working as a professional nurse for over 40 years, I'm pretty sure that many of them will order unnecessary tests and procedures so they can make more money. Some already do that now. Believe me! Plus, sadly a lot of doctors go into medicine partly for the money. If they had to depend on only Medicare, we might end up with a bigger shortage of doctors in primary care, compared to now. I prefer an NP to a doctor, but even their salaries might be lower under such a plan and they have to have at least an MS to practice and some have doctorate degrees in nursing.
Then there are patients like my sister and neighbor who run to a doctor for every tiny symptom, which again will increase the cost of Medicare. I imagine there are more like them.
If I were to develop a type of MfA, I'd have premiums based on income and some copays in certain instances, all affordable based on the person's income. The wealthiest would pay much higher premiums and the poor would pay no premiums and tiny copays in some instances. For example M'caid, at least when I was working had a 50 cent copay for medications.
Medicare is currently not free. In fact a couple with A, B, D and a supplement could be paying 1000 bucks a month or more, based on their ages. it's still having trouble getting enough funding, despite the FICA tax and the premiums.
I don't like the idea of prior approval because that really slows down care, although perhaps in certain instances it makes sense. I don't need prior approval to have surgery etc under my cheap ass Advantage Plan that only costs me about 200 a month and it covers medications as well as other care. It's much cheaper than traditional M'care and after several years, I'm satisfied with it. It will be available next. year as well.
Long term care is extremely expensive, so how the fuck is that supposed to be paid without any premiums at all?
Point is that it's very complicated and there must be more support and a better way to pay it, instead of Bernie's crazy plan. His heart is in the right place, but he's very unrealistic.
So, what other things can the Dems do to satisfy progressives without the support of the other party? I am progressive in spirit but I'm also a realist and I understand how difficult it will be to pass some things that are progressive.
Of course, the Dems are far from perfect, but we only have two parties and I don't see that changing in the near future, so vote for the one that at least tries to do the most for the people or that does the least amount of harm. I also wish we had term limits but that's another topic to discuss.