fUNDING “MEDICARE FOR ALL”

First of all, I am still opposed to the concept of Medicare for All. We can all see that it is a poor man’s attempt at socialized medicine without actually giving it that name, without eliminating the insurance company and their profit-line, and still maintaining the privatization of medical professionalism. It also does not address the obvious short-comings of Medicare. We that are on Medicate know about co-pays, supplemental coverage, “donut holes”, additional insurance for things like dental, lack of coverage for things like hearing, and Medicare deciding what and is and is not covered instead of health-care providers. In short, even if the concept of Medicare for All is laudable, it is not good enough. We could and should do better than that.

But be that as it may, I am really disappointed that the candidates that the so-called intelligent politicians that are running for President and championing Medicare for All do not have a clue of a way to fund it that will sell to business and to the public at large, both Liberal and Conservative. Either they come up with a super-double-secret plan that they have yet to share or they come up with plans that will tax “Big Business” and “Billionaires”, with maybe a little taxation to middle class (but not too much). Obviously the super-double-secret champions are those candidates that want to jump on the bandwagon, while not having one damned clue as how to fund their “plan” (a.k.a., nothing). The ones proposing taxes are either trying to foist their some middle class villain so that they can sell their idea and their plan. When they mention that the middle class may have to pay some taxes, they try to wave the honesty flag while knowing that the plan is dead on arrival despite their advocacy.

Once again, we see a disingenuous proposal that is destined to failure and is being used to garner votes. Their current plans have zero chance of being implemented. If fact, I doubt that the proposers will even stoop to introduce it at all, They are using it for votes and likely have no plans on pursuing the plan if they actually got elected.

But let us pretend that this is a real proposal and the issue is funding. Much, if not all, of the cost of funding is already in play.

Think about it: the majority of companies are paying for health care premiums, totally or partially, for their employees. As an editorial comment: if they are not they should be, there is not excuse not to. I cannot be sure of this but I am pretty sure that the average amount of premium payments is at least comparable to what would be needed for Medicare for All. My reasoning is rather simplistic but accurate, I think, The current insurance premiums are not on the scale that this new program would be so the economy of scale should factor in and, quite frankly, the Medicare for All will not be as comprehensive as even the basic coverage of most offerings by most companies.

So, make the Medicare for All premiums be a tax deductible, mandatory, employer-paid premium for all companies. Just like any other employee tax: whether it be income tax, payroll tax, employer’s FICO, whatever. As another editorial comment: I would even bet that it might be cheaper than what many, many employers are paying today. Heck, these employers might offer additional coverage that covers the shortfalls of Medicare for All.

Is this a perfect answer? NO! Is this the final answer? NO! Can this idea be improved upon? YES! Can someone come up with a better solution? POSSIBLY, but they haven’t so far!

And consider this: IF I CAME UP WITH THIS WHILE WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME, WHY HAVEN’T OUR FEARLESS CANDIDATES COME UP WITH SOMETHING BETTER THAN THEY HAVE SO FAR?