There seems to be some confusion about #MedicareForAll. And while we're not sure the questions posed by @politico are being asked in good faith, we're going to answer them anyway.
A: Improved #MedicareForAll describes a publicly funded #SinglePayer national health program that provides comprehensive coverage to all Americans.
Q. How would we pay for it?
A: We would combine existing sources of public funding (Medicare & Medicaid taxes, public employee coverage, tax deductions for employer-sponsored plans) with new progressive taxes that would replace our current premiums and deductibles.
Q: What happens to insurance?
A: Private health insurers would (by and large) close up shop, and would take their administrative costs, high deductibles, and restrictive provider networks with them. Displaced workers would receive income support and job training.
Q: What happens to doctors?
A: Physician take-home pay would be largely unchanged, thanks to a steep drop in overhead costs. Our members could finally focus on treating patients, not haggling with private insurance companies.
Q: What happens to Medicare itself?
A: It would be dramatically improved. Beneficiaries would finally have coverage for vision, dental, and long-term care. Premiums and deductibles would be a thing of the past.
Trust us, we've heard all these questions before. If you'd like to learn more about improved #MedicareForAll, or if you're being challenged by someone who hopes to derail #SinglePayer, please check out our FAQ at pnhp.org/faq.
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It seems that #SinglePayer opponents are gaining traction with the argument that improved #MedicareForAll would require painful sacrifices from doctors. This is false. In fact, the opposite is true. Let's nip this in the bud, shall we?
For starters, PNHP represents over 20,000 American doctors. Our members are passionate about practicing medicine, but they are not interested in taking a substantial pay cut. Under a well-designed #SinglePayer program, they won't have to.
Think about how doctors are paid in our current system. Today, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance pay mostly on a fee-for-service basis. Private insurance usually pays the most, Medicaid usually pays the least, and Medicare usually pays in the middle.