So, I know I'm dense, and when faced with the moron-factor of the Health Reform debate this summer have been more likely to shut down the computer than jump into the fray -- but a long time ago there was an idea that, to get single payer in America, all that need happen is to just improve and expand Medicare to everyone.
Now, there were studies and all that, but of course that won't happen because Single Payer would automatically make all our kids gay-married socialists or something.
But, given the GOP's new love for seniors, and Medicare, and the so-called "Senior's Bill of Rights," why couldn't Obama and the Dems do a little jujitsu and rename the public option: "Medicare Jr." or "Medicare Buy-In" so that, rather than having the gummint offer some eeeevil socialist government-run insurance options that would (gasp) bring costs down while killing grandparents in their sleep... instead they'll just offer all Americans under 65 a free buy-in to the current (or improved) Medicare system.
So, I know I'm dense, and when faced with the moron-factor of the Health Reform debate this summer have been more likely to shut down the computer than jump into the fray -- but a long time ago there was an idea that, to get single payer in America, all that need happen is to just improve and expand Medicare to everyone.
Now, there were studies and all that, but of course that won't happen because Single Payer would automatically make all our kids gay-married socialists or something.
But, given the GOP's new love for seniors, and Medicare, and the so-called "Senior's Bill of Rights," why couldn't Obama and the Dems do a little jujitsu and rename the public option: "Medicare Jr." or "Medicare Buy-In" so that, rather than having the gummint offer some eeeevil socialist government-run insurance options that would (gasp) bring costs down while killing grandparents in their sleep... instead they'll just offer all Americans under 65 a free buy-in to the current (or improved) Medicare system.
Seniors still get their "Medicare Classic" for free, but now everyone can reap its benefits -- plus add more money into it.
That would still leave the buffet plan that the House Dems like -- people could keep their private insurers, there could be the government-organized private insurer's marketplace things, but they could have a "public option" that's not something new, but is just the medicare that even Republicans know and love, but now everyone can buy it.
This could then, at the least, deflate this whole GOP attempt to turn this into a "health reform will kill medicare" discussion. They could even then turn around and make GOPers who disagree out to be haters of Medicare, adding boo boo death panels, hiss hiss all that kind of crazy Beck talk for gravy.
Thoughts? I can't be the first to think a Medicare Buy-In as a way around this "Public Option" angst... heck, I doubt I'm the first today.