Why NOT a Public Option for Medicare Recipients?
I was listening recently to former Congressman Armey complain about being included under Medicare when he didn't want to be. I gather he is participating in a lawsuit to permit anyone who feels like he does about it to opt out of Medicare if they choose to do so.
After I thought about it for awhile, it occurred to me to wonder, "Why not?" Why not give a real "public option" to BOTH senior-citizens, AND to everyone else? If this would deal with a major sticking-point to getting the option for the rest of us, call that bluff (if it is one) and OFFER it to everyone.
I'm not a policy wonk, and I'm sure there are a zillion reasons why that is either impossible, or just not a good idea. Nevertheless, I'm a little stubborn, and I'd like to have the "Why not?" explained to me.
Please give it your best shot.
Would you allow folks to also opt out of paying into it? If so how do you propose funding it? Next should some decide to opt out and I would venture to say a ton would when they are young and healthy and think they will never have a need. However what happens when they get older and suddenly realize their life did not go according to plan and now they need Medicare, but paid nothing into it? Do we say to them sorry your shit out of luck?
August 28, 2009 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I strongly believe that everyone must be compelled to have acceptable insurance, whether they want it or not.
As to how it's paid-for, I'm not sure that would change significantly from the way it is now: Either employers or private entities would pay what they could, or public funds funds would otherwise be provided (as now).
People now eligible for Medicare would get the same $$ they now get, but they would simply have the option to apply them toward a different insurance if they wanted to. Understand, I don't personally see where it would be an important matter to senior citizens, but if it is (as Mr. Armey seems to think), then by all means give them their choice as well.
August 28, 2009 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink