What is Biden's plan for healthcare? Specifics needed. Not on website.

[Irishxs]

[left-of-center2012]

1. Google is your friend

2020 CANDIDATE JOE BIDEN BACKS MEDICARE PUBLIC OPTION: ‘YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE’

https://www.newsweek.com/2020-candidate-joe-biden-backs-medicare-all-policy-you-all-should-have-choice-1409332

[Demit]

2. There is absolutely no detail in that article that constitutes a plan.

"You should have a choice" is not a plan.

[left-of-center2012]

3. Please share with us what you found.

[Demit]

5. ? You are the one who provided the article that you claimed had Biden's plan.

[left-of-center2012]

6. Thanks for the chuckle

[Irishxs]

8. I've been looking, but he gives out lots of generalities, pretty much no specifics.

I don’t think the words “everyone SHOULD be able to join medicare” are meant to be a plan. He doesn’t appear to be ok with Medicare For All. I found one page that called his platform “anti populist”. Hopefully in the debates, he’ll have answers.

[TwilightZone]

4. Keep reading.

"Whether you're covered through your employer or on your own or not, you all should have a choice to be able to buy into a public option plan for Medicare…"

Seems rather clear.

[Blue_true]

9. The intention was to attack Biden.

It does not matter that he has clearly stated his platform on healthcare.

[Irishxs]

14. Not true at all. If you mean me, I canvassed for Obama's ACA going door to door,

standing in front of walmart asking folks if they have ins, helping to set up email accounts for people who didn’t have them, etc Healthcare is my personal passion, and it effects my voting.

[Blue_true]

15. So what would be your preferred plan?

Biden has said having buyin to a public option in the ACA was his. The most effective public option would be Medicare buyin on the ACA for those that need that choice (uninsured or underinsured but earn too much to get assistance on the ACA).

[Irishxs]

16. Thanks for reply. I would like a basic plan that includes pre existing conditions for

every one under 65. I also think it would be great if medicare could drop to age 60. People who want more coverage could buy add ons. Just a dream, probably. Whenever I travel to Canada, I always marvel that every clerk, uber driver, waitress, etc has healthcare.

[Blue_true]

18. I think Medicare as a public option in the ACA does what you mentioned.

The group that to me seems to be most at risk are people 45-64 that are working but don't make enough to buy commercial insurance at high rates and make too much to get ACA subsidies.

I think that if we made Medicare a public option on the ACA and increased the earnings cap for ACA subsidies, we could cover everyone at reasonable premium rates.

[Irishxs]

17. Forgot to add that I think employers would be glad toget rid of handling insurance.

I really like Biden and Warren. Haven’t decided yet which.

[Blue_true]

20. I agree that employers would love to fold their plans into a public option

and pay a reasonable premium to get rid of the administrative headaches. One benefit is their employees would always be part of a huge buyer base, so premium rates should be much lower and the choice of doctors, hospitals and drugstores much broader.

I can't emphasize the administrative end, a small business person has to hire an insurance analyst (if an ethical one is easy to find) to figure out the complexities in health insurance offerings. Once that is done, the business has to actually buy into a plan, which can be an expensive proposition for a small business that has a few employees. One thing that I would like to see is federal or state organized insurance buying pools that allow small companies to buy into a large insurance user pool, something like a more private public option.

[Irishxs]

22. Sounds good, also. The 45-60 group is

definitely the most worrisome. Their med costs are rising and they really need it. Tn has not expanded Medicaid and we have abt 300,000 people whose only healthcare is free clinics. I’ll be watching debates. Healthcare should be a top question.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. I noticed there is no DEMAND for specifics from the other 25 candidates.

Even if well intention-ed I wonder if these people will EVER figure out how messaging works and when you word things a certain way it leaves a NEGATIVE connotation for others to pick up on.


BTW the LAST Democrat I want in the WH as prez is Joe, or close to the last. But if he is the nominee then I will support him as if he is the 2nd coming.

[Blue_true]

29. You made a great point about messaging.

People need to be careful and stick to describing actual shortcomings or failure to be specific instead of ignoring stuff.

I communicated some with the OP, I think the person's objective was right and that person wants the best healthcare for all Americans and was not interested in tearing anyone down. It would have been great if that had been clearer out of the gate instead of a post later.

[Demit]

11. That's not a plan. That is a vague aspirational statement.

The writer references Bernie Sanders' plan, notes it takes up five pages, then criticizes it for not detailing how he would pay for it.

Biden's plan isn't written down at all—as the OP notes there's nothing on his website—and he doesn't indicate even vaguely how he'd pay for it. So, not a plan.

[George II]

13. Bazinga!

[Blue_true]

7. Really? How is that?

Is wagging on about a healthcare reformation that Americans are likely to object to a plan? If you say yes, how so?

The sensible route is to put Medicare buyin as an option in the ACA.

[Irishxs]

10. Totally agree.

[George II]

12. Does anyone have any specific details, emphasis on specific?

[sandensea]

19. My guess is that he'll adopt Bernie's.

Biden may have his reservations in that regard.

But he knows most Democrats - and independent voters - are sick and tired of our private health insurance racket, and are ready for Medicare For All.

[redstateblues]

21. Taking insurance away from people who like their employer based plans

Is political suicide

[sandensea]

23. People "like" it - until they need to actually use it.

$600 a month (or more), and you still face $10,000 annual deductibles.

That's a racket.

[Demsrule86]

24. That is completely untrue...we pay $300 a month for a great family plan...our employer gives us

1500 to cover the deductibles... the $50.00 for a specialist...why would I wish to switch to medicare for all which also has deductibles and doesn't cover but 80 % ...it would cost me a fortune...we can't afford to retire with the current medicare costs...sure as hell don't want it now.

[Politicub]

30. Medicare Advantage will be your friend.

Look into it. Advantage plans have predictable costs (like an HMO) as opposed to the co-insurance model for original Medicare.

My husband uses a Medicare Advantage provider and his PCP co-pay is $5 and specialists are $40. The provider also manages his part D drug insurance, and we pay very little. One of his generic meds is 80 cents for a 30 day supply.

It does not cost any more per month than the original Medicare part B premium.

Not all employers offer good, affordable plans. You are one of the fortunate Americans who works for one who does. Good for you.

[Demsrule86]

32. My sister in law had this...they turned down tons of stuff she neded...we got rid of it...I don't

think those who advocate Medicare for all really understood the program...I worked it for my sister who is older than me...she pay over $300.00 a month for everything on a 1300.00 a month social security...she lives with us so it is fine...disabled before she hit 65...so I know about Medicare and honestly...it needs improvement...you know how many retired folks can't even afford their insulin?

[Politicub]

35. I'm a health insurance nerd and I understand it.

It is not a perfect system. No one claims it is.

Your sister needs a better PCP to help her. If she needs a medically-necessary procedure, Medicare is bound by law to cover it. If the Advantage provider drags its feet or won’t cover, then a call to complain to CMS will work wonders.

[Turin_C3PO]

37. Why can't we do Medicare as a primary with Medicaid as a secondary?

That’s what I have and I pay nothing for drugs, doctors visits and frequent two week hospital stays. And I have never had issues with coverage. I have an expensive disease, cystic fibrosis. Everyone should have access to the type of plan I have.

Private health insurance is, for the most part, a racket.

[emmaverybo]

27. I pay nothing for Medicare supplemental. Covers everything. Before retirement, I paid sixty per mont

I don’t support re-inventing the wheel and turning health care into one big VA health care system. We can work on ACA, offer public buy in to Medicare, preserve and expand Medicare and Medicaid.

I agree that proposing to take millions of people’s employer provided plans away from them is a way to get Trump re-elected.

[Demsrule86]

33. Check you plan...My sis had one like that only if she went to the hospital she owed like

$4000. if she was in five days. I did a great deal of research.

[emmaverybo]

39. Oh. Sorry. Terrible. Mine part of a state retirement plan. Has been hospital coverage 100%

[Demsrule86]

40. That is awesome.

[emmaverybo]

44. I do not mean to gloat at my good fortune. I do, though, understand how many millions will

find it difficult to give up their situations. I want every one to have good healthcare. I am dubious that the way to go is Medicare4All.
I await further education and am prepared to water down my own coverage or pay higher taxes.
Universal coverage, however it might best be attained, is a public health concern and a matter of
national import to all Americans. Our health as a nation depends on our individual health.

[Demsrule86]

47. I am happy for you. It mskes no sense to for those who have insurance to

be forced to get new medicare based insurance...big unwieldy and I believe a doomed effort. Give insurace to those who need it with a public option.

[emmaverybo]

48. So far that is exactly where I am. I fear a compromise in quality of care and coverage

Last edited Tue Jun 18, 2019, 05:11 PM - Edit history (2)

for those currently on Medicaid, as well as for those whose needs are being met by their plans, and I wonder about a huge, as you say,unwieldy, Fed run system. I know the pitfalls of the VA system.
Also we could see a Republican administration put it in jeopardy should we achieve it and then, down the line, they get in.
Let’s go Joe.

[Politicub]

31. My friend who works as an ambulance dispatcher has a plan like you

describe. I don’t know what his monthly premium is though.

He hates his plan. But at least he’s protected from catastrophic health care costs.

[sandensea]

36. True. It's better than nothing.

But still.

Small wonder every major health insurance CEO, is a billionaire.

[Demsrule86]

25. It is not a winning issue...he won't.

[sop]

28. For-profit insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to prevent Medicare for All

Private, for-profit insurance companies siphon off a significant percentage (up to 18%) of every premium dollar in operating costs; Medicare's operating cost is 2%. Government sources estimate eliminating private insurers' operating costs could save half a trillion dollars every year. Of course, stockholders in these private insurance companies would be hurt, employees might have to find new jobs and their upper management wouldn't receive multi-million dollar compensation packages.

On the other hand, everyone would be insured under Medicare, regardless of age or employment status. Employers would no longer have to pay for a large portion of health insurance benefits for their employees, allowing these companies to pay their employees more. Workers would have greater freedom to change jobs and less stress. And costs could be reduced for drugs if Medicare is allowed to negotiate for lower prices.

[Demsrule86]

34. Never mind that...people who have insurance subsidized by employers will fight tooth and nail to

keep it which is why Clintoncare failed...and MFA will fail as well...public option...universal coverage eventually...add cost controls to the ACA and Medicaid expansion and also the shitty drug plan for Medicare Bush foisted on us.

[sop]

38. The average annual premium for employer-based family coverage was $19,616, and $6,896 for

single coverage in 2018. On average, workers contributed 18% of the cost for single coverage, and 29% of the cost for family coverage. A good portion of that money goes to operating expenses for private health insurance carriers; operating costs for Medicare are much less.

Costs incurred by employers for employee health insurance are (generally) 100% tax-deductible, as ordinary business expenses on both state and federal income taxes. Employees can also deduct their health care costs and expenses if they exceed a certain percentage of adjusted gross income. Health insurance costs are not "subsidized by employers," they're subsidized by government, and ultimately paid for by taxpayers.

It would be impossible to resolve this issue here, we'll never agree on which method of delivering health care insurance is better, but it's clear the existing system is a disaster. Private, for-profit health care insurance costs too much, health care provider costs are excessive and the whole system needs to be completely reworked.

Everyone knows there are special interest groups that will make changing the existing system extremely difficult. I honestly don't believe that under our present system of government any meaningful change can take place. But, I still would prefer a Medicare for All system that covers everyone.

[Demsrule86]

41. We pay 300 a month.

[TCJ70]

45. Good for you. I pay $1,000 a month. Not everyone is you.

[Demsrule86]

46. Not everyonr pays 1000 a month...and medicare is not cheap.

MFA will not ever be passed...the ACA WITH A PUBLIC OPTION for medicaid is the way to go...that circuvents the states who refused to ecpand medicaid. Also we need regulation of pharm...

[Demsrule86]

42. When asked if they would support MFA if workplace / private insurance

Went away only 17 % did.