Thread by @KenMastersUSA

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel Kevin,

I'm just seeing this thread and I'm sure you're feeling frustrated here but just a point of advice: "universal healthcare" does not entail single-payer.

Beto, Kamala, Pete; they're all proposing UHC; but none are single-payer. Tulsi joins that group now.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel UHC could be as simple as the ACA+Public Option+Medicaid+individual mandate+opt-out.

There you go.. now everyone is covered.

But that would suck right? Forced private insurance premiums? That's terrible. What if you don't pay? Then you get an IRS fine??

That's the problem.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel We've gone down this road with the ACA before.

The idea was that we'd end up with 97% coverage; but we're only at 91.2% and much of that insurance is garbage.

Why? Because it's backed by for-profit private insurance companies that are under no obligation to cover you or me.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel Are there other "paths" to get universal coverage besides single-payer? Sure! But they're complex as all get out.

Obama proposed one himself in 2007; referencing the Nordic model (see Denmark). And no, that's NOT what Tulsi is talking about -- not remotely.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel What Tulsi is describing is virtually no different than Biden's Public Option; which according to him, opts everyone into a "Medicare-like" system which he hasn't exactly detailed. But in effect, we're talking about the ACA+Public Option (original plan) with the opt-out clause.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel This isn't single-payer; and frankly, while it will likely cover 99% of people through a patchwork system of public and private programs -- this still doesn't address the fundamental problems the original ACA attempted to solve, which was skyrocketing costs.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel Right now, US residents pay nearly double what someone pays in Europe for inferior care, without preventative care, and with the Sword of Damocles hanging over their family wrt out of pocket expenses, increased premiums, prescription drug costs, or God forbid long-term care.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel Back in 2008, healthcare was a huge issue even with the entire economy collapsing. Why? Because insurance premiums were rising by double digits (%) year over year. Looking back, 2018 makes 2009 look like a cakewalk.

This is why plans built around the ACA are non-starters.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel And this is why "building on the ACA" or maintaining the current private insurance system doesn't work.

Honestly, it's a legislative distraction, designed to protect the profits of billion dollar conglomerates while making the electorate *believe* they've accomplished something.

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel So while I'm sure you really like your candidate, she is *not* backing single-payer healthcare; and her plan, while aptly described as one-of-many "universal healthcare plans" is better than what we have today; the point remains: why would _you_ *choose* that over single-payer?

@stephlynn1982 @NicodemusVI @scaryfoxx @jennyjenli @daviddoel Who are you protecting by backing plans that support private insurance?

You're not protecting yourself, your family, or your loved ones.

So, who benefits?

Think about it... seriously..Who benefits from maintaining the private insurance system?

Yea.. See the problem here?