It does make sense if the guy driving the Mercedes isn’t paying for it and he is concerned that he might actually have to pay for that Toyota. For all of the absurdities, inefficiencies, unfairness and outrageous costs, the American healthcare system has had one big attraction for politically influential class(Ì.e. the Rich): Middle Class and Working Class folks pay for their own Healthcare directly through premiums and out of pocket costs, indirectly, as part of their wages through Employer provided Insurance and Medicare which they paid for when they worked. Tax revenue does cover the healthcare cost of low income folks but, unlike most Universal Healthcare Countries, wealthy taxpayers “off the hook” for most people’s healthcare. Realistically, who cares if a system is inherently wasteful and inefficient if you aren’t paying for it; it’s not your problem. I think the primary opposition to Obamacare, any Universal System or any move away from Employer provided Insurance is concern among the Very Rich that they may be expected to contribute.

I work for a global Bank and just discovered an annual premium increase of $2,763. How fun! UHC decided that they no longer want to offer the Local Copay Plan in Minnesota where I live. They are still offering it to all the other locations we have in the US, just not to the people who live in the same state as UHC corporate headquarters. Isn’t that nice!?

Observe inflation, homelessness, our jammed packed jail cells, persistent levels of crime, record levels of medical bankruptcies, high rates of drug use, rising federal debt. They can all be traced back to a dysfunctional/inefficient/extremely costly healthcare system that ignores the basic health needs of tens of millions of Americans and continues to skyrocket in price for all of its citizens. We are the richest nation on planet earth yet Republicans still state we can’t afford it. We can’t afford NOT having it!

Basic healthcare deals with both physical and mental health from birth to death. The area of mental health is the silent killer or destroyer of ones well-being. It affects every aspect of our nation like Illegal drug addictions, alcohol abuse, and homelessness. High level of crimes can easily be traced back to one’s mental health. Not dealt with immediately at an early age or addressed as adults creates many profound problems. “More than 70% of people in U.S. jails and prisons have a diagnosed mental illness, a substance use disorder, or both”. Observe the erratic actions of homeless people on Main Street in any city or town in America. Again, mental health is the underlying cause of such destructive behavior effecting themselves and society as a whole.

The quality of life of America is being destroyed/harmed by a lack of basic healthcare. Not only is our current system financially unsustainable, its effect on the rest of our nation further deteriorates our quality of life. Universal Healthcare should NOT be considered a frill or luxury. It must be looked upon as a vital need like food, water and oxygen.

Instead of a mission to Mars. Let’s strive for a mission towards Universal Healthcare!

What if we actually got Medicare-for-all, or some other form of universal health care? How many people would retire early or change careers because their health care is no longer tied to a job?

I have a (maybe stupid) question. Why are we pushing for Medicare for all and not Medicaid for all? There is so much Medicare lacks. They don't cover substance use treatment. People still have to pay for a lot of things out of pocket. Just curious. Thanks!

Not that we need anymore reasons to support Universal Healthcare, but they do exist. Such as lifting the burden off of small businesses, they cannot compete with mega corporations when negotiating for healthcare plans.

What are your thoughts on this example? What other benefits can we come up with besides saving lives and money?