In Last Week Tonight, John Oliver explains why moving from our multi-payer health care system to a single-payer system–one in which the federal government pays our health care bills–would reduce health care costs, have little effect on wait times and increase people’s health care choices. Oliver handily takes on the three biggest arguments against Medicare for all.
Oliver reminds everyone that we have a “badly broken” system. Hundreds of thousands of people end up in bankruptcy as a result of health care costs they cannot afford.
It is true that Medicare for all would increase the federal budget. It’s also true that it would reduce employer and individual costs for health care. There would be no more premiums or out-of-pocket expenses for health care. Right now, health care costs are so high that some companies actually pay their employees to go to Mexico to get their prescription drugs!
As for wait times, many people are forced to wait for their care today because of its cost. And, some end up going without care.
Opponents of Medicare for all like to criticize other countries’ health care systems. But, fewer than ten percent of Brits and Canadians believe their health care system needs to be rebuilt. In sharp contrast, more than one in five (23 percent) Americans believe our system needs an overhaul.
And, anyone who believes that Medicare for all would limit choice should consider that our current system limits choice that people want and need–choice of doctors and hospitals. Private health insurers restrict these choices significantly. Medicare for All gives people the choice of seeing whatever doctors they please.
Finally, don’t believe that giving people a choice of either Medicare or private health insurance would rein in health care costs. What Pete Buttigieg and others who propose a “public” option do not tell you is that it leaves most of the biggest problems with our health care system in place–high overall costs, restricted access to providers, and high deductibles and coinsurance.
Yes, Oliver appreciates that a Medicare for All bill will be difficult to pass. But, we should rally around it. It’s a far better solution than asking people to prioritize the medicines they will take, forcing them to get help paying for their care through a gofundme campaign or, when that fails, forgoing care altogether.
