Thread by @PNHP

The Trump Administration says it wants to "protect" Medicare by expanding Medicare Advantage, a program that allows corporate health insurers to bilk taxpayers for billions. How does this plan compare to improved #MedicareForAll? wapo.st/30FWjTl via @washingtonpost

Medicare Advantage: Plans "cherry pick" relatively healthy, low-cost patients to pad their bottom lines.

#MedicareForAll: Each and every American would be covered regardless of pre-existing conditions.

Source: bit.ly/2VjwuuM via @KFF

Medicare Advantage: Engages in "upcoding" that labels patients with diagnoses most likely to generate profits for the insurer.

#MedicareForAll: Diagnosis, treatment, and documentation paperwork based strictly on medical need.

Source: bit.ly/32Zr4nV via @nberpubs

Medicare Advantage: Overcharges taxpayers by tens of billions and pushes back on any attempt to audit.

#MedicareForAll: Eliminates profiteering of commercial health insurers and controls provider costs with global budgeting.

Source: bit.ly/2Svdc0V via @KHNews

Medicare Advantage: Spends less on medical care, and more on overhead and profit, than traditional Medicare.

#MedicareForAll: Keeps administrative costs low and directs resources to patient care, where they belong.

Source: bit.ly/2Ma68E6 via @AEAjournals

Medicare Advantage: Sharply increased out-of-pocket charges for chemotherapy, pushing "expensive" cancer patients out of their plans.

#MedicareForAll: Reduces copays, coinsurance, and deductibles to ZERO.

Source: bit.ly/2OeBImJ via @JournalGIM

Medicare Advantage: Manipulates the "quality bonus program" to the tune of $6B in unwarranted bonuses per year.

#MedicareForAll: Discards the discredited, even dangerous, "value-based" payment model.

Source: bit.ly/32IKcY0 via @modrnhealthcr

Medicare Advantage: Under-reports hospital readmission rates (which are higher than traditional Medicare).

#MedicareForAll: Discharge and admission based on medical necessity, not financial considerations.

Source: bit.ly/2XctT1Q via @AnnalsofIM

Medicare Advantage is part of a decades-long campaign to privatize the Medicare program. It generates billions in profits for insurers, makes life miserable for patients with significant medical needs and drives up costs for taxpayers. bit.ly/2pD90O5 via @Harpers

This is not the model we want for an efficient, effective, humane health care system. We should start with the traditional Medicare program instead and improve coverage, eliminate cost-sharing, eject corporate profiteers, and expand the program to cover EVERYBODY. #MedicareForAll