Harris Steps Back from Medicare for All | Progressives Support

livewell
August 28, 2024
Noah Bennett

Harris Steps Back from Medicare for All | Progressives Support

For those who do not know, Kamala Harris is the vice president of The United States. She shares a long history with Medicare for All. In 2019, during the Democratic presidential elections, Harris presented her plan for Medicare for all.

Her plan aims to improve the healthcare system of the United States. Let’s discuss the Medicare for All plan and Harris Medicare shift. We will look at some statements of Harris and explain some basics of Medicare for All too.

What Is Medicare For All?

The Medicare program in the United States is a mixture of private and public health programs. It is one of the most popular healthcare programs in the United States. An extended version of Medicare, Medicare for All, was introduced in 2003.

Medicare for All is the progressive support healthcare system. Many political leaders support this plan. As it does not look for your age or income, it accepts everyone. Also, it ends the private health insurance and promotes insurance covered by the government.

Some politicians believe that designing one insurance plan for everyone simplifies the whole healthcare system. yet, others disagree.

How does Medicare for All Work?

When looking closely, Medicare for All provides more healthcare services than original Medicare. Instead of applying through an employer, you can apply through the federal government. It gives you almost every treatment except cosmetic surgery. It has the potential to replace Medicaid and Medicare.

As we know the age criteria for Medicare is over 65. No doubt, they receive healthcare, but for some cost. However, Medicare for All has the least cost and most benefits. This plan would cover your all hospice and medical bills. There would be no financial burden.

Moreover, there would be no deductibles. The cost of the prescription drugs would be less as well. It is a single-payer healthcare, meaning government pay for your medical expenses.

The Cost of the Medicare for All?

Surveys suggest that the cost associated with Medicare for all is less than original Medicare. In 10 years, Medicare for All would spend around $30 trillion on healthcare. While Medicare costs about $800 annually. And in two years, it will spend $45 trillion.

With Medicare for All, you do not give money from your pockets. The government will take care of the costs. Mind you, the cost depends on the treatment and the plan you have.

Kamala Harris Medicare-for-All

The plan, Medicare for All, was supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders. It was stated that the program would cover hearing aids, vision and dental. Also, the deductibles are terminated.

Harris supports the plan and she wants to eliminate private health insurance. However, later she stepped back from Medicare for All and presented her idea for the plan.

Harris thinks Medicare is popular and everyone should have access to this plan. According to Harris, “In America, health care should be a right, not a privilege only for those who can afford it. It’s why we need Medicare for All.”

Healthcare services

Harris’s idea of health insurance revolves around accessibility. This plan will include:

Dental services
Vision aids
Hearing aids
Emergency visits
Therapies for mental health

In addition, those who cannot afford the prices of drugs can negotiate.

Cost of the healthcare

Under the Harris Medicare shift, there will be other benefits as well. The cost is low for the needy. Drug prices get low on negotiation. You can save money in the long run.

Healthcare policy changes

Regarding the healthcare cost and services, Harris further stated that her Medicare for All plan will include telehealth. This will make it easy for people to access the treatment and diagnosis. Innovative patient programs will help you to find the best doctor. You will learn how to navigate the health system.

Is Harris’s Medicare for All Plan Effective?

There are many perspectives about Medicare for All. This plan has both benefits and drawbacks. It aims to reduce the cost of insurance. You will not have to pay for your medical expenses from your pockets.

Additionally, it would improve the healthcare system of the United States. Every American can buy this plan instantly. Even the uninsured will be automatically enrolled and receive the benefits.

However, it also aims to remove private insurers. Private insurers must offer different plans. But if they do so, they will have to follow the requirements of Medicare for all.

Another drawback of Harris’s plan is the less incentive for doctors. Since they have to reduce the cost, they may limit their services to patients.

Medicare-for-all Stance

The relationship between Medicare for All and Harris is complex. Harris stands with Sander’s Medicare plan and supports the bill. According to Harris, Medicare stands for accessibility and affordability. She said “Medicare for All stands for the proposition that all Americans from the day of birth, throughout their lives, will have access to health care.”

Eliminating private insurers is part of the Harris Medicare shift. That is because insurers have a lot of paperwork and are profit-oriented. Medicare for All plan eliminated all that.

Medicare for all is not motivated by profit or paperwork. It is for all citizens. It aims to strengthen the healthcare system of the United States. However, many opponents argue and deny the Harris’ plan. Joe Biden is one of them.

Joe Biden is not in favor of Medicare for all. He favors original Medicare and does not want to end private insurance. Besides, he wants to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to him, Medicare for all is expensive. Since it demands the elimination of private insurance, the public will not accept the plan.

Moreover, he suggested improving the ACA and enacting more insurance options for Americans. He also advised to reduce the cost of the healthcare insurance. Supporting a single-payer healthcare system will not be effective.

Medicare or Medicare for All

Medicare-for-all bill proposes eliminating private health insurance. It prohibits insurers from selling coverage that duplicates national plan benefits. This leads to the virtual disappearance of private insurance.

One poll shows that 56% of the public supports Medicare for all. However, when private health insurance was eliminated, only 37% supported the plan. Confusion surrounds the plan’s purpose,

People indeed complain about their current health plans. They complain about the rising deductibles and costs. Yet, they do not want to end their national health insurance plan.

Private insurance

Medicare for All led to the formation of many proposals. These proposals are less prescriptive. Also, they do not end private insurance. The proposals attract about three-quarters of the public. According to these proposals, people ages 50 to 65 can buy the plan.

Pros and Cons of Medicare For All

As mentioned above, this plan has pros and cons. There are several advantages of the plan. It is not directed towards profit. It is solely made to serve the older adults of the United States.

There are some drawbacks as well. These downsides depend on your income. If you have a good income then the negative sides of the plan will not affect you. Let’s dig deep into the cons and pros of Medicare for all.

Pros explained

Some crucial benefits of the plan are:

Reduce cost

Medicare for all would reduce the cost. The insurance holder does not have to give money from his pocket. Since it is a single-payer system, government will be responsible for the costs. Through negotiation, the cost is reduced even more.

Administrative cost

The administrative cost of the plan would be zero. There would be no independent private insurers. Private insurance will work with the government. And the doctors will work with the government agencies.

Accessibility

All American citizens can apply for this plan. It would be accessible to all, making a healthy community. The accessibility and affordability of medical services would promote justice and equality.

Cons explained

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to this extensive plan of Medicare. Some of them are:

Poor quality care

The government pays for all the expenses so it has to limit other healthcare expenses. The government may pay doctors an average amount. Since the doctors will have to keep up with the less incentive, they may not provide quality care.

Irresponsible population

When people know they do not have to pay for their health, they would be careless. They will not take care of their health

Conclusion

To sum up, Harri’s Medicare shift would be a revolution in the healthcare system. The availability and affordability of health insurance can surely enhance the health of a community. It would be best for people worrying about the insurance cost. However, there are some disadvantages as well. Also, some people do not find eliminating private insurance as the best deal.

FAQ

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What is Medicare for all?

Medicare for All is the new and extended form of the original Medicare.

How is Medicare for All different from Medicare?

Medicare for all is quite different from Medicare. Unlike Medicare, this extended plan allows accessibility to everyone. The cost is low and it supports the idea of removing private insurance.

What are the drawbacks of Medicare for all?

Since it is a single-payer healthcare system, government will have to pay for your medical expenses. This may put pressure on the government.