Will we ever have single payer health care in this country?

[Ambivalent1]

I'm talking about the insurance companies who run Medicare, not HMOs. The government doesn't operate Medicare directly, they farm it out - to the same insurance companies people think we'll be avoiding if we get Medicare for All. They'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Ugh, no they don't. Original Medicare (A &B) are fully Gov. The supplements are private companies.

So what do you think they're talking about in those articles I posted???

What does this mean?

Most people think Medicare is a government program. That’s only partly true. While Congress created Medicare, and continues to develop Medicare coverage and appeal rules, decisions to pay claims are actually made by private companies. The government does not make those decisions. This was one of the compromises made in order to pass Medicare in 1965 – and the public-private partnership continues to date.

Or this?

What You Need To Know About Medicare For All, Part I

1. 1. Medicare is not really government insurance.

Almost everybody on the political left thinks that Medicare is a government plan – one that is completely different from private insurance. Yet that view is wrong.

Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors.

Moreover, in recent years, one-third of all seniors – and perhaps as many as half of young seniors – are enrolled in plans offered by Humana, Cigna, UnitedHealth care and other private insurers under the Medicare Advantage program. These private plans are virtually indistinguishable from the private insurance non-seniors have.

They're not talking about the supplemental stuff. They're talking about basic Medicare, as passed in 1965. And this isn't the only source I've found making this claim. Are you guys seriously this deep in denial, or are my sources lying? Enquiring minds want to know.

Look, pay attention to the wording.

"Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors."

I WORKED for BCBS, they don't "administer" Medicare. They SELL supplements, MA plans and PDP plans. Here's how it works, providers , (Those who provide care" bill the Gov/CMS) FIRST. Then claims get forwarded to the private carriers who then pay their portion. The private carriers then send out the EOB's showing the insured's portion owed. It's really not as hard as you're making it.

Parts A & B are Gov programs. The private carriers are who SUPPLEMENT the parts of medicare that leave the insureds exposed. You can go on misreading your lawyer "advocacy" groups "article" or you can actually listen to us who do this EVERY day.

 

[dblack]

I'm talking about the insurance companies who run Medicare, not HMOs. The government doesn't operate Medicare directly, they farm it out - to the same insurance companies people think we'll be avoiding if we get Medicare for All. They'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Ugh, no they don't. Original Medicare (A &B) are fully Gov. The supplements are private companies.

So what do you think they're talking about in those articles I posted???

What does this mean?

Most people think Medicare is a government program. That’s only partly true. While Congress created Medicare, and continues to develop Medicare coverage and appeal rules, decisions to pay claims are actually made by private companies. The government does not make those decisions. This was one of the compromises made in order to pass Medicare in 1965 – and the public-private partnership continues to date.

Or this?

What You Need To Know About Medicare For All, Part I

1. 1. Medicare is not really government insurance.

Almost everybody on the political left thinks that Medicare is a government plan – one that is completely different from private insurance. Yet that view is wrong.

Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors.

Moreover, in recent years, one-third of all seniors – and perhaps as many as half of young seniors – are enrolled in plans offered by Humana, Cigna, UnitedHealth care and other private insurers under the Medicare Advantage program. These private plans are virtually indistinguishable from the private insurance non-seniors have.

They're not talking about the supplemental stuff. They're talking about basic Medicare, as passed in 1965. And this isn't the only source I've found making this claim. Are you guys seriously this deep in denial, or are my sources lying? Enquiring minds want to know.

Look, pay attention to the wording.

"Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors."

I WORKED for BCBS, they don't "administer" Medicare. They SELL supplements, MA plans and PDP plans. Here's how it works, providers , (Those who provide care" bill the Gov/CMS) FIRST. Then claims get forwarded to the private carriers who then pay their portion. The private carriers then send out the EOB's showing the insured's portion owed. It's really not as hard as you're making it.

Parts A & B are Gov programs. The private carriers are who SUPPLEMENT the parts of medicare that leave the insureds exposed. You can go on misreading your lawyer "advocacy" groups "article" or you can actually listen to us who do this EVERY day.

LOL...
Ok, I give up.
Keep the faith. Stay the course!

 

[Markle]

Doesn't matter. They're feeding, directly, on taxpayer dollars and it needs to stop.

For decades, I and thousands of others paid for our own health care through a local, high quality, HMO. It is fantastic. When I reached 65, and went on Medicare, I was able to stay with the same HMO and kept my doctor. How was my HMO feeding on taxpayer dollars?

Who the hell do you think is paying that premium for your HMO to the tune of around $10,000 per year? Yep, that's right Medicare. Who do think is funding Medicare? Yep, the taxpayer's through payroll taxes.

It comes out the money I paid into the policy over many decades. Way, way more than $10,000 a year. Although private companies accept a huge discount from Medicare and accept discounted prices for each service.

IF it is depending on the money coming in today, from workers, then it is a Ponzi Scam, is it not? Identical to Social Security and they will soon run out of money. as you know they have multi-trillion-dollar unfunded liabilities today.

 

[Mac1958]

You don't want Single Payer. I get it. Neither do I. I have no idea what the rest of this has been about.

No, you don't get it. It's true I don't want single payer. But if that's where we're headed, I'd rather it NOT be the kind of corporatist horseshit our Congress is so fond of serving up. Liberals NEED to hear what I'm saying. If they really want to wrestle control of health care away from the insurance industry they need to face the truth. But they won't. Because for them it's a religion, and you can argue with true believers.

Well, you're certainly welcome to offer up your idea for a plan.
.

 

[dblack]

You don't want Single Payer. I get it. Neither do I. I have no idea what the rest of this has been about.

No, you don't get it. It's true I don't want single payer. But if that's where we're headed, I'd rather it NOT be the kind of corporatist horseshit our Congress is so fond of serving up. Liberals NEED to hear what I'm saying. If they really want to wrestle control of health care away from the insurance industry they need to face the truth. But they won't. Because for them it's a religion, and you can argue with true believers.

Well, you're certainly welcome to offer up your idea for a plan.

I already did, many, many times over the last few years. And again in this thread. But that's not what we're going to got. We're going to get corporatism, because you fools won't even acknowledge reality.

 

[Staidhup]

So how ya going to pay for it? Do the freaking math!

 

[Ambivalent1]

You don't want Single Payer. I get it. Neither do I. I have no idea what the rest of this has been about.

No, you don't get it. It's true I don't want single payer. But if that's where we're headed, I'd rather it NOT be the kind of corporatist horseshit our Congress is so fond of serving up. Liberals NEED to hear what I'm saying. If they really want to wrestle control of health care away from the insurance industry they need to face the truth. But they won't. Because for them it's a religion, and you can argue with true believers.

Well, you're certainly welcome to offer up your idea for a plan.

I already did, many, many times over the last few years. And again in this thread. But that's not what we're going to got. We're going to get corporatism, because you fools won't even acknowledge reality.

No, we'll get it because they control everything.

 

[Mac1958]

You don't want Single Payer. I get it. Neither do I. I have no idea what the rest of this has been about.

No, you don't get it. It's true I don't want single payer. But if that's where we're headed, I'd rather it NOT be the kind of corporatist horseshit our Congress is so fond of serving up. Liberals NEED to hear what I'm saying. If they really want to wrestle control of health care away from the insurance industry they need to face the truth. But they won't. Because for them it's a religion, and you can argue with true believers.

Well, you're certainly welcome to offer up your idea for a plan.

I already did, many, many times over the last few years. And again in this thread. But that's not what we're going to got. We're going to get corporatism, because you fools won't even acknowledge reality.

Well, none of us fools can be as smart and aware as you.

We can only aspire.

<sigh>

Darn.
.

 

[Ambivalent1]

I'm talking about the insurance companies who run Medicare, not HMOs. The government doesn't operate Medicare directly, they farm it out - to the same insurance companies people think we'll be avoiding if we get Medicare for All. They'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Ugh, no they don't. Original Medicare (A &B) are fully Gov. The supplements are private companies.

So what do you think they're talking about in those articles I posted???

What does this mean?

Most people think Medicare is a government program. That’s only partly true. While Congress created Medicare, and continues to develop Medicare coverage and appeal rules, decisions to pay claims are actually made by private companies. The government does not make those decisions. This was one of the compromises made in order to pass Medicare in 1965 – and the public-private partnership continues to date.

Or this?

What You Need To Know About Medicare For All, Part I

1. 1. Medicare is not really government insurance.

Almost everybody on the political left thinks that Medicare is a government plan – one that is completely different from private insurance. Yet that view is wrong.

Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors.

Moreover, in recent years, one-third of all seniors – and perhaps as many as half of young seniors – are enrolled in plans offered by Humana, Cigna, UnitedHealth care and other private insurers under the Medicare Advantage program. These private plans are virtually indistinguishable from the private insurance non-seniors have.

They're not talking about the supplemental stuff. They're talking about basic Medicare, as passed in 1965. And this isn't the only source I've found making this claim. Are you guys seriously this deep in denial, or are my sources lying? Enquiring minds want to know.

Look, pay attention to the wording.

"Although Medicare is largely funded with tax dollars, it has never been a strictly government program. Medicare’s original benefit package copied a standard Blue Cross plan that was common back in 1965. And Medicare has always been privately administered – in many places by Blue Cross itself. That’s the same Blue Cross that administers private insurance sold to non-seniors."

I WORKED for BCBS, they don't "administer" Medicare. They SELL supplements, MA plans and PDP plans. Here's how it works, providers , (Those who provide care" bill the Gov/CMS) FIRST. Then claims get forwarded to the private carriers who then pay their portion. The private carriers then send out the EOB's showing the insured's portion owed. It's really not as hard as you're making it.

Parts A & B are Gov programs. The private carriers are who SUPPLEMENT the parts of medicare that leave the insureds exposed. You can go on misreading your lawyer "advocacy" groups "article" or you can actually listen to us who do this EVERY day.

LOL...
Ok, I give up.
Keep the faith. Stay the course!

For what it's worth I do respect your position and passion.

 

[Redfish]

To make a very long story short, our Medicare system includes a significant free market component in the form of Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans, and true Single Payer does not.
.

... and every one of those plans is paid for by whom?

Medicare Supplements are paid for by the owner of the policy.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans are paid for by taxpayers.

It's amazing how many people have absolutely no idea how our Medicare system works, but pretend that they do.
.

Tell me about it. Most people don't realize it's a feeding trough for the insurance industry, for example.

medical insurance companies are not high profit corporations.

Doesn't matter. They're feeding, directly, on taxpayer dollars and it needs to stop.

how are they feeding on taxpayer dollars? What is being abused? What is your alternative? Hating US companies that make a profit is not a reason to destroy them. Be specific in your answer. Talking points will not be accepted.

 

[Redfish]

So what's the alternative??

Drop all the regulatory and tax policies pushing employer-provided health care. Use the Commerce clause as it was intended and bust up the regulatory fiefdoms that insurance companies have established at the state level.

I agree to a point, insurance companies should be allowed to compete across state lines. Why would you do away with employer provided medical coverage? It is an employment benefit that millions of americans benefit from.

 

[danielpalos]

Solving simple poverty is more market friendly and ensures greater market participation in normal market operations.

 

[Redfish]

medical insurance companies are not high profit corporations. Now, shall we discuss the profit rates of big pharma? Apple, google, FB?

Who pays the billions of dollars in research to develop new life saving, life-extending, and life-improving drugs.

What other nation has developed as many of those drugs has American companies and why?

I fully understand the profit motive and big pharma developing life saving drugs. I get it. But the length of the patents on new drugs allows them to make obscene amounts of profit (much in excess of development expenses) at the expense of sick americans. Israel claims to have found a drug that will eliminate cancer, all kinds of cancer. Do you think American big pharma will embrace that? of course not because it would eliminate the huge profits that they now make on cancer drugs that seldom work.

 

[danielpalos]

medical insurance companies are not high profit corporations. Now, shall we discuss the profit rates of big pharma? Apple, google, FB?

Who pays the billions of dollars in research to develop new life saving, life-extending, and life-improving drugs.

What other nation has developed as many of those drugs has American companies and why?

I fully understand the profit motive and big pharma developing life saving drugs. I get it. But the length of the patents on new drugs allows them to make obscene amounts of profit (much in excess of development expenses) at the expense of sick americans. Israel claims to have found a drug that will eliminate cancer, all kinds of cancer. Do you think American big pharma will embrace that? of course not because it would eliminate the huge profits that they now make on cancer drugs that seldom work.

increasing market participation in normal market operations instead of a command economics regime can lower costs through the law of large numbers.

solving simple poverty on an at-will basis in our at-will employment States can ensure that can happen under our form of Capitalism.

 

[The Original Tree]

Chances are if you have decent Health Care Insurance and you worked your ass off to put yourself in a position to get good benefits, Democrats will want to destroy it.

 

[danielpalos]

Chances are if you have decent Health Care Insurance and you worked your ass off to put yourself in a position to get good benefits, Democrats will want to destroy it.

stop whining about the cost of social services.

 

[g5000]

Unless somebody offers a better option. Repubs seem to have nothing.

Exactly.

PLAN A: Nothing. (GOP Plan)

PLAN B: Socialized medicine, a.k.a. single payer health care, a.k.a. Medicare For All. (Democratic Plan)


Take a look at this chart and guess which plan the American voter is going to choose:

You can’t have socialized medicine as long as you have open borders! You cannot support all the poor people you are importing. Therefore democrat plan B fails!

Watch and see.

 

[easyt65]

Calling for the govt to go even further than Obama did, to fulfill Obama's dream of Single Payer to which Obamacare was the admitted 1st step, by forcibly stripping million's of Americans of their personal private health care insurance plans tailored to their individual needs and forcing them to accept a government-defined, government-mandated one-size-fits-all plan run by the government is the act of an oppressive self-appointed ruling Socialist government that goes against Everything the Founding Fathers and the Constitution they wrote, on which the foundation of this government, stands for.

 

[debbiedowner]

medical insurance companies are not high profit corporations. Now, shall we discuss the profit rates of big pharma? Apple, google, FB?

Who pays the billions of dollars in research to develop new life saving, life-extending, and life-improving drugs.

What other nation has developed as many of those drugs has American companies and why?

I fully understand the profit motive and big pharma developing life saving drugs. I get it. But the length of the patents on new drugs allows them to make obscene amounts of profit (much in excess of development expenses) at the expense of sick americans. Israel claims to have found a drug that will eliminate cancer, all kinds of cancer. Do you think American big pharma will embrace that? of course not because it would eliminate the huge profits that they now make on cancer drugs that seldom work.

Trump's Part D proposal puts some seniors at risk

 

[debbiedowner]

As Democrats Talk Single Payer, Private Medicare Advantage Soars

Health insurers are reporting unprecedented growth in the number of seniors flocking to private Medicare Advantage plans amid talk of a single payer government-run approach that could uproot such coverage.

The same week U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) made news with her support for “Medicare for All,” insurers Anthem and Cigna reported strong growth from Medicare Advantage, private coverage sold via contracts with the federal government.

Anthem’s Medicare Advantage enrollment jumped by 35% to more than 1 million at the end of 2018 compared to 746,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017, the operator of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans reported last week. “Our individual Medicare Advantage business is on track to achieve our mid-double digit growth target,” Anthem CEO Gail Boudreaux told analysts during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call last week. “In total, we estimate our Medicare Advantage growth will exceed 20% by the end of 2019.”





Meanwhile, Cigna reported Friday that its Medicare Advantage enrollment was up one percent to 436,000 from 432,000 and UnitedHealth Group ended 2018 with 4.9 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, which was up nearly 12% from 4.4 million at the end of 2017. Other insurers including Aetna, which is now part of CVS Health, are expected to report higher Medicare Advantage enrollment later this month after these plans expanded into new markets.

The industry is tapping into a market of more than 10,000 baby boomers aging into the Medicare population every day . The insurers that have reported 2018 earnings thus far are reporting overall industry growth that’s slightly ahead of the projected record growth the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) predicted for Medicare Advantage last fall. “We completed a strong Medicare Advantage enrollment season . . . and are on track to achieve 2019 growth within the 400,000 to 450,000 range of expectations,” Steve Nelson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealth’s insurance business told analysts two weeks ago.