Please explain the "single payer system"

[HeyMikey]

I really know nothing of this system, that everyone seems to keep saying, is what the Libs/Dems really want us to end up going to.........Oblundercare being the first step, towards that end.
Could someone please explain what it is, and how it would supposedly work?

[denimdeerslayer]

Not me. I'm just going to be an outlaw!

[Maddox]

I really know nothing of this system, that everyone seems to keep saying, is what the Libs/Dems really want us to end up going to.........Oblundercare being the first step, towards that end.
Could someone please explain what it is, and how it would supposedly work?

Same as Medicare or Medicare. You pay govt out of your paycheck for insurance and they decide what service you will get and when you can get it. No more insurance companies, period.

[equin]

I could be wrong, but I think it means payment for medical bills comes from one, "single" source - the government. I think Canada and most Western European countries have a single payer system? One reason why it's controversial is because taxes would have to go up to pay for it. Also, some fear that the Affordable Care Act could be so disastrous or unsustainable that the next step would be going to a single payer system or something similar to what Canada has, or so I've read while trying to figure it all out myself.

[HeyMikey]

I appreciate the info guys. Thanks!

[Buckrider]

Same as Medicare or Medicare. You pay govt out of your paycheck for insurance and they decide what service you will get and when you can get it. No more insurance companies, period.

This is kinda what im thinking as well but I really dont know for sure or if anyone does for that matter...

[Bluesman]

I work with Canadians who work here in the States.
In Canada they pay up to 50% of their income in taxes. They are issued a medical card good anytime and anywhere in Canada.
I've asked about Canadians coming to the states for quality treatment. The answer has been, they might come to try revolutionary treatments but otherwise are happy with medical care in Canada.
Keep in mind, folks from Canada think differently than us

[Maddox]

I work with Canadians who work here in the States.
In Canada they pay up to 50% of their income in taxes. They are issued a medical card good anytime and anywhere in Canada.
I've asked about Canadians coming to the states for quality treatment. The answer has been, they might come to try revolutionary treatments but otherwise are happy with medical care in Canada.
Keep in mind, folks from Canada think differently than us

I work with Canadians also. What I hear from them is that if you go to the Dr you will get serviced, HOWEVER it might take months-years for something that would take day-weeks for us here in America.

[Bluesman]

I work with Canadians also. What I hear from them is that if you go to the Dr you will get serviced, HOWEVER it might take months-years for something that would take day-weeks for us here in America.

I've heard that but not from a Canadian. Most I know are young enough and seemingly healthy.
I know that a lot of elective treatments are put aside so care is provided for truly sick folks.
People from all over the world go to Mexico for cheap surgery and alternative medical care. That lap band surgery in Mexico is somewhere around $8,000 in Mexico vs $15 to $20K here in the US. I know of 2 ladies from Toronto who flew to San Diego, crossed the border and became happy campers.

[Bluesman]

Anyway the single payer is the government.
I've had Canadians and Englishmen tell me that Sweden has the best social medical system.

[BigTex.308]

Personally I want the government to stay out of my business and my wallet and just leave me the **** alone!!!



Ike

[flywise]

Single payer means that since the gov pays your medical bills they also will dictate how you live. You want treatment for x problem they say you WILL quit smoking and we MIGHT allow the treatment.
When your a slave to gov. You must abide by the slave masters rules

[60 Deluxe]

Single payer means that since the gov pays your medical bills they also will dictate how you live. You want treatment for x problem they say you WILL quit smoking and we MIGHT allow the treatment.
When your a slave to gov. You must abide by the slave masters rules

Amen, and I am way too freedom minded to turn into a subject or a communist.

[tpcollins]

Same as Medicare or Medicare. You pay govt out of your paycheck for insurance and they decide what service you will get and when you can get it. No more insurance companies, period.

That about sums it up. With the government running health care will be similar to waiting in line at the Secretary of State to get license plates. Only two of the six clerks are working, the other four are chatting about what they did the night before while 40 people are waiting in line.

And the government does really good at running the post office too!

[keep]

Personally I want the government to stay out of my business and my wallet and just leave me the **** alone!!!



Ike

I agree but here is what I'm seeing. The people paying for insurance now are footing the bill for the people who don't. Meaning that because a large percentage of the population feels comfortable with getting their medical needs for free, those that do have insurance get charged massive amounts more from the Dr because he and the hospital have to make up for the losses from the moochers. That in turn, causes the insurance companies charge more to their customer because they are having to pay the higher fees the dr had to charge to make up for the moochers.

It's a circle that CAN'T be broken at this point because if it is, one of those 3 (insurance customer, insurance company or dr) will be left holding that bag and be out tons of money and no one wants to do that.
The only one that has the current system working for them are the moochers.

How do you fix that? Unfortunately it may be the single payer system. I don't like it any more than anyone else but I believe that COULD be more fair to the avg joe's that have the burden of the costs now.

Here's why/ how I see it that way. If the gov now pays for the insurance than, in theory, they will have to raise taxes. I hate taxes but might be willing to do that IF the taxes came from EVERYONE and not just those of us that some politicians decide have enough money to pay it. Assume they hit EVERYONE (notice the word everyone) for a percent or two than that would easily cover the cost burden. At that point everyone would have coverage and everyone would pay a share of the pie.
The issue is I can't believe that the gov would assess the tax on everyone so then we would be back to what we have now with only the tax paying citizens toting the bill.
I just can't get past the fact that for the avg person that this would be substantially cheaper provided the mooches pay as well.
Again, if everyone paid it could work on the financial front the part I can't figure out is then the gov APPROVES the Dr and procedures and this is probably what kills it.
I know I'm getting tired of hearing about it and more tired of paying for others who won't pay or aren't citizens or willingly opt not to have coverage because they know they can get health care if they just go to the hospital. I do know a couple percent for me would be quite a bit less in costs than what I pay now when the ins costs, deductible, office visits, Rx and co pays are added up.

Honestly I just don't know if a Gov Health Care would work but when you look at what the avg family pays vs what they get, maybe, jut maybe it's a better solution. Of course that my just be my bitterness coming through and may be the only way I see that the moochers HAVE to pay their share and it could be I'm so willing to see them have to finally pay up that I'm entertaining going to this to see their free ride stop.