I’ve never thought about it like that, but you raise an interesting point. From the point of view of patients insurance is an inextricable part of health care. I’m not so sure you can separate them that easily. Even in Western Europe the trend is towards privatization so when something happens to me health wise my first concern is insurance, never mind the actual problem. It’s a tragedy. Let’s just go back to setting up a mandatory fund and paying out from that without the profit seeking middlemen. We don’t need them.
Every American who has private insurance right now, could pay that exact same amount instead to the federal government and let it pay our medical bills, and it would result in more people getting care and less cost for the healthcare industry.
Of course, for some reason, some people are strongly opposed to the destruction of a multi-billion-dollar rent-seeking middleman industry and also opposed to healthcare going to certain, shall we say, melaninistically-blessed Americans.
Every American who has private insurance right now, could pay that exact same amount instead to the federal government and let it pay our medical bills
That’s called a single-payer healthcare system, and it’s a good idea. The government can negotiate pricing for the entire country, rather than having a lot of small insurance companies that are all in it to make a profit.
Australia has a hybrid public/private system where everyone has public health care (so you can see a doctor and get treated even if you don’t have any money), but you can choose to get private insurance if you want to. It’s a decent idea.
Every American who has private insurance right now, could pay that exact same amount instead to the federal government and let it pay our medical bills
Probably pay less and get more access to a wider range of medical services.
Mine costs my employer and myself $15,000 yearly. Colorado marketplace insurance for a “silver” plan (probably very expensive to actually use) is over $8k.
If we all just pooled that money it’d make Medicare for All a reality.
Yeah, it could fit in the current framework so I guess state power isn’t essential for creating it. State power is definitely essential to do things like negotiate drug pricing like Medicare does. We saw the power of that recently.
I’ve never thought about it like that, but you raise an interesting point. From the point of view of patients insurance is an inextricable part of health care. I’m not so sure you can separate them that easily. Even in Western Europe the trend is towards privatization so when something happens to me health wise my first concern is insurance, never mind the actual problem. It’s a tragedy. Let’s just go back to setting up a mandatory fund and paying out from that without the profit seeking middlemen. We don’t need them.
You know what’s really stupid?
Every American who has private insurance right now, could pay that exact same amount instead to the federal government and let it pay our medical bills, and it would result in more people getting care and less cost for the healthcare industry.
Of course, for some reason, some people are strongly opposed to the destruction of a multi-billion-dollar rent-seeking middleman industry and also opposed to healthcare going to certain, shall we say, melaninistically-blessed Americans.
That’s called a single-payer healthcare system, and it’s a good idea. The government can negotiate pricing for the entire country, rather than having a lot of small insurance companies that are all in it to make a profit.
Australia has a hybrid public/private system where everyone has public health care (so you can see a doctor and get treated even if you don’t have any money), but you can choose to get private insurance if you want to. It’s a decent idea.
Probably pay less and get more access to a wider range of medical services.
Mine costs my employer and myself $15,000 yearly. Colorado marketplace insurance for a “silver” plan (probably very expensive to actually use) is over $8k.
If we all just pooled that money it’d make Medicare for All a reality.
Could a citizen created “Robin Hood” health insurance company incorporate and steal all their lunch?
I think we need the power of the state behind it.
That would be nice, but I can’t see lobbyist allowing it. It state power really essential?
Maybe s co-operative insurance company could fit inside the current framework without legislative change.
(Obviously, I’m just spitballing here)
Yeah, it could fit in the current framework so I guess state power isn’t essential for creating it. State power is definitely essential to do things like negotiate drug pricing like Medicare does. We saw the power of that recently.
The state certainly brings volume and that is leveraged for negotiations. There’s no way a new insurer could have that market share instantly.