Scene: A public option supporting candidate (POSC) walks into the office of a person with a Doctorate in Actuarial Science (DAS).
POSC: Hi there, I’m here to engage your services in writing us a plan explaining how we will get to Medicare for All using a public option.
DAS: All right, but first I will need some information so I can calculate how much money you will need to bring in and how you could do that, so that you have more revenues coming in than you will be paying out at all times, everyone can afford it, and you can pay for what you promised would be covered.
POSC: Well … we didn’t really expect anyone to ask US any questions … that’s weird … but go ahead.
DAS: During the first year, how many people do you predict will buy in and by the way, what does “buy in” mean, premiums, copays, out of pocket, taxes? Oh, and what will you do for people who can’t afford to buy in?
POSC: We’re not sure how many people will buy in, but let’s just assume “lots” … and we haven’t really figured out how we will pay for it and cover people without money, we’re leaving that up to you … but don’t put the word taxes into the suggested plan! It’s an icky word and besides … we like to use it to scare people about the Progressives.
DAS: Right. So, even if you don’t know how many people will buy in initially, do you at least know whether they will be representative of the general population – demographics, socioeconomic status, predicted health care needs? I need that kind of information so I can develop a plan with universal affordability and one that will cover everyone’s needs at the time they buy in.
POSC: Um … don’t know about any of that either … seems like an awful lot of science … but let’s go with “sure whatever”. Because we know people will like the plan better if it’s way optimistic, and if we guess wrong … no biggy … we’ll just figure out how to fix it later before people get really pissed off at us.
DAS: Uh huh. So over time, what is your estimate of how many more people will buy in, who they will be, and how fast that will happen?
POSC: Again, haven’t given it a lot of thought (Thinks: Geesh, these questions are annoying!). But let’s just assume everybody will eventually buy in and that it will happen pretty fast.
DAS: Well of course you know that last part is really important because people will just keep suffering and dying until everyone is in M4A. You know that, right? I’m worried though. What about the 40% of Americans who will be told by Republicans that this is “socialized medicine” and who are likely to choose poor health over buying into your “government” program?
POSC: Um … hadn’t really thought about those kinds of problems either … You really think the Republicans and private insurers would do that rather than work with us? … Oh well, I’m sure we will figure out just what to say to win those people over when the time comes.
DAS: That seems pretty optimistic. And what will you do if a substantial proportion of the remaining Americans are happy with their insurance plan and don’t choose to buy in because they hear they might lose their doctor and won’t get the same coverage they are getting now.
POSC: Wait! What! Those are the arguments we are making about the Progressive’s M4A plan. They can’t use those against us, right (?), and if they do, nobody’s going to fall for it, right (?) … and besides, if people fall for it, I’m sure we will figure out just what to say to win them over when the time comes.
DAS: So what you’re telling me is that … one, you aren’t really sure what you want the sources of the revenue stream to be, but ixnay on the axestay … two, you don’t know what the health care needs will be when people start buying in, their ability to pay, and how you will meet those needs for people who have no money … three, you don’t know how fast it will expand and who that will involve … four, you’re going to assume best case scenario for every aspect of the program and scramble around to figure out a Plan B if you’re wrong and people start losing faith in Democrats … and finally, you’re going to assume anti-M4A forces will act in good faith and everyone will be totally rational and logical in their decision-making … but if people do start falling for the anti-public health insurance propaganda … you will know just how to counter it … even though you are using the same propaganda against the Progressives now.
POSC: You got it! Could you please have that done by the next Democratic debate … although not to worry … we’re pretty sure that we, the debate moderators and the Press will only badger the Progressives for details.
DAS: Get out of my office … Now!!
Public option supporting candidate walks out of the office looking confused and frustrated.
DAS shouts after them.
And by The Way, The Progressives Came in Last Week And They Were Able To Give Us The Information We Needed, Including The Approaches That Will Bypass The Attitudinal Barriers. Now There’s Folks Who Know How to Plan.
End of scene.