Thomas Martinez wrote an excellent piece on single-payer. Problem being is that many of the online responses were incorrect. This is what happens when people don’t seek out the truth or don’t hear the truth. 

Currently your health care is dictated by your HMO, not necessarily by your doctor. Under single-payer, your health care would be dictated by your doctor. In addition, people are being saddled with high premiums, poor coverage and high deductibles. The Republicans (as dictated in the last session as I watched it — Bennett agreed with them) want you to choose what type of coverage you want. Are you going to need coverage for Lyme disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s? Alzheimer’s? Cancer? If so, what type, and the list goes on and on. 

Single-payer puts us all in the same group, blanket coverage, much lower premiums, no deductibles and freedom of choice. Why? It has worked throughout the world.  The United States is the most expensive by far and is ranked about number 38 in the world as to the quality of health care we receive.

People in the U.S. use their doctor less than other people in the world, so throw that argument out. Single-payer is not run by government as being said by many. Doctors, clinics, etc., are private. It is run somewhat like Medicare. 

Eliminate the $64 million dollar salaries of CEOs in addition to other high salary management. Eliminate 34 percent administration cost. Eliminate marketing. Eliminate all the money given to legislators and their parties to help fight single-payer. Eliminate lobbyists who are paid to fight single-payer. 

Is it going to be perfect? No.  Someone won’t like it. Do all Canadians like it? No. However, the vast majority do by far, including many doctors.  Canadians are behind in their technology, however, and that perhaps is the difference as to why some people prefer other countries. They like the single-payer system though. No pre-existing clauses, no prior authorizations, no arguing with customer support reps from HMOs. Best of all, peace of mind and much easier to work with, in addition to saving money. See you next week. 

Paul Tuveson

Woodbury