Quote:
Originally Posted by nfotiu
Maybe it will evolve into something good, I just fear the implementation of it was so poor that it will make the public so apprehensive, no one will ever try again.
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Maybe, but I tend to believe that the only evolution that is realistically possible for the ACA is to turn it into, essentially, Medicare for everyone.
Medicare has its issues, for sure, but if the doctor-reimbursement* and drug negotiation matters can get resolved (as well as some of its funding issues)**, then I don't see why people would not be in favor of making it available on a wider basis.
People could still obtain health care insurance, at their own cost, to cover what Medicare does not (which would allow the current health insurance companies to stay in business, although perhaps in a reduced form), while everyone in the US would be given the ability to obtain at least some minimum form of health care.
Besides, implementing Medicare for all would avoid (and would have avoided) all of the current angst, headaches, and problems that those trying to enroll on the ACA website are now facing.
* Increasing the doctor reimbursement rates to a more reasonable and equitable level is a no-brainer. By doing so, doctors would not have any incentive to drop patients, and accordingly, people really could keep their doctor if they liked their doctor.
** In this regard, increasing Medicare taxes is probably the most realistic solution, but if the taxes were imposed on all sources of income (and not just on wages), an increase might not be necessary.