The argument for single-payer health insurance is arithmetic – simple arithmetic. For-profit health insurance companies have to, you know, make a profit That means that part of your premium payments becomes profit for the share holders. Furthermore, a way to keep profits up (and share holders happy) is to avoid paying claims whenever possible, so lots of claims get disputed and wrangled over. Of course, this wrangling adds paperwork at the doctor’s office, too. So if you’re looking for bang for your buck, for-profit health insurance is not the way to go.
The current government-run health insurance program for seniors - Medicare - has administrative costs that are about one eighth those of for-profit insurers. A government-run system for everybody would save money – big time.
But isn’t that socialism? Yes, of course it’s socialism, and, if you don’t like socialism, you should be out picketing in front of the local fire department, a great example of socialism at work. Or, alternatively, you could go to every city council meeting to demand that they close the public library and sell off the city parks. These too are tax supported services that are available to everyone in the community – a good working definition of socialism.
So my point is, let’s not get hung up on labels. Rather, let’s figure out the best and most cost efficient way to be sure that everyone has access to health care.
Bob Waggoner
Cortez