Thoughts on @ewarren's new #MedicareForAll funding plan. A thread...
First, it's FANTASTIC that we have several candidates who are serious about real, single-payer healthcare. Warren's team took a serious crack at financing M4A that doesn't water down the facts of M4A
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First, it's FANTASTIC that we have several candidates who are serious about real, single-payer healthcare. Warren's team took a serious crack at financing M4A that doesn't water down the facts of M4A
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@ewarren This plan reflects a lot of thinking and engages experts who have been serious about M4A for a while (@donberwick).
The plan brings some important points to the table. Not necessarily by way of M4A, per se, but around progressive taxation, an area where Warren has led.
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The plan brings some important points to the table. Not necessarily by way of M4A, per se, but around progressive taxation, an area where Warren has led.
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@ewarren @donberwick It shows strong leadership.
But the plan raises some core questions. The most important of these is "why are we so afraid to ask the middle class to pay for healthcare when we know M4A will cost them less both upon implementation and over the long run?"
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But the plan raises some core questions. The most important of these is "why are we so afraid to ask the middle class to pay for healthcare when we know M4A will cost them less both upon implementation and over the long run?"
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@ewarren @donberwick This is a *political* question more than a policy question. And it gets to the heart of the difference in perspectives on M4A--and the American public.
It's the fear of the value proposition M4A makes to the American middle class that's forced Warren to craft this plan
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It's the fear of the value proposition M4A makes to the American middle class that's forced Warren to craft this plan
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@ewarren @donberwick And that's forced her to make some *very* questionable assumptions.
This plan makes M4A financing contingent on:
- passing a wealth tax
- immigration reform
And, most curiously...
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This plan makes M4A financing contingent on:
- passing a wealth tax
- immigration reform
And, most curiously...
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@ewarren @donberwick - honesty among corporate employers (as discussed by @MattBruenig)
peoplespolicyproject.org/2019/11/01/war…
Given that Warren has staked her entire candidacy on the notion that she is best situated to take on dishonest corporations, this is perplexing.
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peoplespolicyproject.org/2019/11/01/war…
Given that Warren has staked her entire candidacy on the notion that she is best situated to take on dishonest corporations, this is perplexing.
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@ewarren @donberwick @MattBruenig And these assumptions expose the plan to unnecessary policy and political risk.
SO why not just ask middle class Americans to take up the cost of a healthcare system that is cheaper, more equitable, and more sustainable FOR THEM?
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SO why not just ask middle class Americans to take up the cost of a healthcare system that is cheaper, more equitable, and more sustainable FOR THEM?
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@ewarren @donberwick @MattBruenig It's a matter of political philosophy and political courage. Articulating the trade-offs for middle-class Americans implicit in M4A is a matter of both trusting the American people to make their best choice and trusting one's own political voice to continue to articulate it.
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@ewarren @donberwick @MattBruenig So, tho @ewarren's plan pushes more of the cost onto the ultra-rich, it implies a basic mistrust of the People to make their own best decision and to bare its costs--and therefore puts more control of healthcare in the hands of the wealthy.
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@ewarren @donberwick @MattBruenig Nevertheless--this is a real, detailed financing policy from someone who clearly understands the financial questions at play. It's a real contribution to policy on #MedicareforAll that isn't selling short single payer or empowering corporate insurance. Kudos.
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