If anyone is unclear on the concept get them to visit canada and get on a list for a procedure, or try to find a family doctor.
We have "free" medicare and its in freefall collapse all across canada. Our Conservative government in alberta is still trying new things, this time they are trying out allowing doctors to operate in private as well in the public system.
The left and the health care unions of reasonably portray this as the first step toward genocide.
If that doesn't work, do you know who also liked private health care?
Yeah, I just became eligible for Medicare last year and it's very confusing with all the different Medicare Advantage plans. Not all doctors accept all plans and you still have to pay something. The Advantage plan I chose last year was cancelled and so I had to choose another. But at least I get $120 every 3 months to spend on band-aids and sun screen!
I'm fortunate to be in good health and to have the resources to take of my medical expenses so I'm not too worried, but people who think that Medicare for All will cure our health care affordability problems are in for rude awakening.
The fundamental problem with paying for health care is that there is an almost unlimited demand for care and there is a limited supply. Rationing has to occur at some point, whether it's the government deciding who gets what treatment or the people who can afford to pay for it.
The pitch works because the target demographic has no idea that only hospitalization is included in the basic policy. You pay more premiums, copays, etc. for everything else.
Don't forget the ludicrous "Wellness" exam that gatekeeps those on Medicare from getting a true physical. The "Wellness" exam is nothing but data collection and tracking.
What these idiots don't understand is that Medicare costs nearly $200/mo AFTER you've turned 65 and have paid in for your entire working life.
The fact is, all Americans are on Medicare right now. But those who are under 65 only pay in and don't get anything out. Hey, kids, this wasn't my idea. Blame LBJ.
Doctors right now ARE overwhelmed from the 10 + Million illegals that suddenly showed up under Biden. AND then sanctuary states mostly guarantee free health care for illegals, so Americans are shoved out of line for health care to make room for the 10 million. My idiot liberal friends won't shut up about the long wait for their appointments -- they can't seem to put 2 + 2 together. Oh right, that's racist math.
JMaryH: While I understand the objections to "free health care for illegals", there may be some valid exceptions. If I recall correctly, when Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City he was asked whether illegal aliens (or undocumented immigrants, or perhaps, in super woke lingo, "persons experiencing undocumentedness") should receive health care at the city's hospitals. He answered with a qualified yes. For example, if someone shows up at a hospital's emergency room with an acute injury or illness, the staff often don't have the time or resources to verify the patient's citizenship or immigration status, or ability to pay the costs of treatment. The patient may not possess the necessary documents on his/her person, or be unable to communicate coherently. By the time his/her status is verified, which could take anywhere from minutes to hours or even days, he/she may have already dropped dead. So the only thing the staff can reasonably do is to treat the person now and ask immigration and/or payment questions later, if at all.
Good luck trying to find a doctor or get admitted to a hospital when you are competing with the other 350 million people plus whoever walks or flys across the American border (if the Dems get Open Borders, then why bother with customs at the airport?) Older people who need care might want to start checking on the states that permit euthanasia
Anyone falling for old Bernie’s socialism (the old codger had three million-dollar homes) or these wacko DSA candidates, needs to wake up from their utopia dream and realize they’re getting played as useful idiots. 🤦♀️ Extremely high affordability costs are in mostly in blue states and blue cities due to their high taxes, high crime, huge funding to illegals, and corruption.
What USA politician will tell 90M people receiving free Medicaid that under any one payer system (Medicare For All) everyone pays (huge VATs, increased income taxes, supplemental policies and of course Medicare has significant monthly premiums).
If the Republicans can't get out of their own way and find a message that resonates, they have no chance in November. "Affordability" is such an easy thing to run on. The "it was Biden's fault" line has expired. "They're all Commies" doesn't work because it might not be so bad, after all, or some such idiocy. Without a clear, repeatable, relatable message, they're toast.
Right! The Dems and DSA keep saying they will address "affordability", but they NEVER say how or when they will fix it or how much it'll cost us taxpayers.
Republicans have always sucked at messaging. They’ve always been weak and feckless. They have a silver platter and always give it away. It’s shocking the right can ever even win with the Marxist media and our feckless leaders. It should be quite easy to call these crazies out, but it almost seems the right want to lose, get paid and go on TV, and avoid the hard work of leading. It’s incredibly frustrating and pathetic. Any of us could likely do a much better job than most of them. Very frustrating and worrisome.
The late P.J. O'Rourke wrote "If you think healthcare is expensive now, just wait until it's free". What the DSA demagogues fail to mention is the necessary rationing that are a feature of national healthcare plans. Canada and the UK have 2-year waiting lists for surgeries.
I wonder if those waitlists apply to everyone? Or could it be that politicians and VIPs get to cut in line? Or they get a special queue. Or special medical care. Rules for thee and not for me, and such.
Healthcare is always and everywhere rationed either by price or availability or both. In many of the darling countries it takes 5 weeks or more to get a simple MRI. We have twice as many MRI machines in New England alone than the Canadians have in the whole country. The only thing the Free countries do better is PR.
Does anyone even remember the utter disaster known as Obamacare??
Fool me once shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Anything and Everything government meddles in gets destroyed and we end up with the bill and all the headaches that come with their all their stupid fantasies.
They’re trying to buy votes by pretending it’s all free and shiny and bright! But they’ll make healthcare even more of a disaster than it already is. Just look at Cuba, the UK or Canada!
There’s NO SUCH THING as a FREE LUNCH. Somebody’s always paying - and we’ll pay dearly for this communist pipe dream.
"Universal Health Care" means 'Universal Waiting in Lines". In France, patients diagnosed with cancer have to wait 6 months before they can get any care.
I worked 5 decades for Medicare and SSI. And I'm STILL PAYING! Don't come here and get free anything. I don't get free anything, nothing! I pay real estate taxes, school taxes, per capita taxes, sales tax, gas tax, FEDERAL INCOME TAX, I'm sick of hearing the Bernie Bros talking this crap. You wonder why small town hospitals are going bankrupt??
I’ve been reading more about the affordability crisis. A good chunk of that is because fuel prices (including natural gas) are quite high. That in turn is partially because of Iran, but even more because the left has spent the last 3 decades shutting down every source of fuel and energy possible in the US. Fewer refineries, fewer pipelines, fewer wells.
Fuel is a major input into almost everything: truck and train transportation, storage, production, electricity, … the Left (with plenty of help from the right) has made energy production and consumption in the US far less affordable than it would otherwise be.
So in addition to throwing open our borders, importing voters who are often diametrically and even violently opposed to our culture and country, offering free medicine/housing/phones, and not enforcing violent crimes perpetrated by illegal migrants against US citizens, the Left has also made basically everything far
More expensive.
Yet Trump and the Republicans are blamed.
In part the Republicans should be blamed like Charlie Brown is to be blamed for trusting Lucy will hold the football, and so many of them have been complicit if not stealth accomplices. But until they figure out how to get that message to the independents and handful of persuadable Democrats (are there any???), they will lose
The GOP politicians are too stupid to take the Win. The Dems have handed it to them on a silver platter with their "Big Tent" BS. The DSA is kryptonite for the Democratic Party if only the RNC would spell it out and saturate the news channels for 60 days. But we are already inside that window and minds are being made up. The RNC are all chokers. So glad I am an independent but sad for our future under Communism
If anyone is unclear on the concept get them to visit canada and get on a list for a procedure, or try to find a family doctor.
We have "free" medicare and its in freefall collapse all across canada. Our Conservative government in alberta is still trying new things, this time they are trying out allowing doctors to operate in private as well in the public system.
The left and the health care unions of reasonably portray this as the first step toward genocide.
If that doesn't work, do you know who also liked private health care?
Hilter.
Just think about that.
Do you know who drank a lot of water?
Hitler
Who is your "Hilter" ? Your fourth-grade teacher?
The funniest part of “Medicare for All” is that it’s not free!
$300 per month is standard, with additional for drug coverage.
They never mention that part.
Yeah, I just became eligible for Medicare last year and it's very confusing with all the different Medicare Advantage plans. Not all doctors accept all plans and you still have to pay something. The Advantage plan I chose last year was cancelled and so I had to choose another. But at least I get $120 every 3 months to spend on band-aids and sun screen!
I'm fortunate to be in good health and to have the resources to take of my medical expenses so I'm not too worried, but people who think that Medicare for All will cure our health care affordability problems are in for rude awakening.
The fundamental problem with paying for health care is that there is an almost unlimited demand for care and there is a limited supply. Rationing has to occur at some point, whether it's the government deciding who gets what treatment or the people who can afford to pay for it.
I'm in good health too, but my trust of the system is such that I must die outside the hospital…I am on my own, brother. So are most of us. Live long.
Wait till the 90M on free Medicaid figure that out.
The pitch works because the target demographic has no idea that only hospitalization is included in the basic policy. You pay more premiums, copays, etc. for everything else.
Don't forget the ludicrous "Wellness" exam that gatekeeps those on Medicare from getting a true physical. The "Wellness" exam is nothing but data collection and tracking.
Maybe I’m confused (‘cuz I’m 67) but wouldn’t Medicare for all take away from Medicare for old people? (Like me?)
Where will the money for this come from? Won’t doctors be overwhelmed?
Ugh!
What these idiots don't understand is that Medicare costs nearly $200/mo AFTER you've turned 65 and have paid in for your entire working life.
The fact is, all Americans are on Medicare right now. But those who are under 65 only pay in and don't get anything out. Hey, kids, this wasn't my idea. Blame LBJ.
And Bush
Doctors right now ARE overwhelmed from the 10 + Million illegals that suddenly showed up under Biden. AND then sanctuary states mostly guarantee free health care for illegals, so Americans are shoved out of line for health care to make room for the 10 million. My idiot liberal friends won't shut up about the long wait for their appointments -- they can't seem to put 2 + 2 together. Oh right, that's racist math.
JMaryH: While I understand the objections to "free health care for illegals", there may be some valid exceptions. If I recall correctly, when Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City he was asked whether illegal aliens (or undocumented immigrants, or perhaps, in super woke lingo, "persons experiencing undocumentedness") should receive health care at the city's hospitals. He answered with a qualified yes. For example, if someone shows up at a hospital's emergency room with an acute injury or illness, the staff often don't have the time or resources to verify the patient's citizenship or immigration status, or ability to pay the costs of treatment. The patient may not possess the necessary documents on his/her person, or be unable to communicate coherently. By the time his/her status is verified, which could take anywhere from minutes to hours or even days, he/she may have already dropped dead. So the only thing the staff can reasonably do is to treat the person now and ask immigration and/or payment questions later, if at all.
Good luck trying to find a doctor or get admitted to a hospital when you are competing with the other 350 million people plus whoever walks or flys across the American border (if the Dems get Open Borders, then why bother with customs at the airport?) Older people who need care might want to start checking on the states that permit euthanasia
Congratulations Sasha on a brilliant, simple Gotcha. And your graphics are tremendous.
Blessings,
Ken Hagerty
Anyone falling for old Bernie’s socialism (the old codger had three million-dollar homes) or these wacko DSA candidates, needs to wake up from their utopia dream and realize they’re getting played as useful idiots. 🤦♀️ Extremely high affordability costs are in mostly in blue states and blue cities due to their high taxes, high crime, huge funding to illegals, and corruption.
What USA politician will tell 90M people receiving free Medicaid that under any one payer system (Medicare For All) everyone pays (huge VATs, increased income taxes, supplemental policies and of course Medicare has significant monthly premiums).
No one gets free coverage under Medicare for All.
If the Republicans can't get out of their own way and find a message that resonates, they have no chance in November. "Affordability" is such an easy thing to run on. The "it was Biden's fault" line has expired. "They're all Commies" doesn't work because it might not be so bad, after all, or some such idiocy. Without a clear, repeatable, relatable message, they're toast.
Biden’s cumulative CPI inflation was 21%.
Trump’s is 5.1%.
I get it though it won’t resonate with voters. That’s a stat, not a message.
Voters won’t care one bit. They will care about the current state of the economy.
The "affordability" argument is basically a hoax: the Fed guarantees that prices go always up, never down. 2% per year is their target.
“Affordability” is an empty slogan without anything realistic to back it up.
Right! The Dems and DSA keep saying they will address "affordability", but they NEVER say how or when they will fix it or how much it'll cost us taxpayers.
Yet, it works every time. People will fall for it, over and over.
I’m not so sure. Democrats are on the wrong side of too many popular issues: immigration, crime, trans ideology, and more.
Republicans have always sucked at messaging. They’ve always been weak and feckless. They have a silver platter and always give it away. It’s shocking the right can ever even win with the Marxist media and our feckless leaders. It should be quite easy to call these crazies out, but it almost seems the right want to lose, get paid and go on TV, and avoid the hard work of leading. It’s incredibly frustrating and pathetic. Any of us could likely do a much better job than most of them. Very frustrating and worrisome.
CORRECTION: Without a clear, repeatable, relatable message, and a miracle from the Living YHVH/God, the MAGA movement is toast.
The late P.J. O'Rourke wrote "If you think healthcare is expensive now, just wait until it's free". What the DSA demagogues fail to mention is the necessary rationing that are a feature of national healthcare plans. Canada and the UK have 2-year waiting lists for surgeries.
I wonder if those waitlists apply to everyone? Or could it be that politicians and VIPs get to cut in line? Or they get a special queue. Or special medical care. Rules for thee and not for me, and such.
The UK allows private insurance. Canadá does not.
Outside of private, are there ways that VIPs bypass things?
I can't speak to that as I was in the private sector.
Healthcare is always and everywhere rationed either by price or availability or both. In many of the darling countries it takes 5 weeks or more to get a simple MRI. We have twice as many MRI machines in New England alone than the Canadians have in the whole country. The only thing the Free countries do better is PR.
Does anyone even remember the utter disaster known as Obamacare??
Fool me once shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Anything and Everything government meddles in gets destroyed and we end up with the bill and all the headaches that come with their all their stupid fantasies.
They’re trying to buy votes by pretending it’s all free and shiny and bright! But they’ll make healthcare even more of a disaster than it already is. Just look at Cuba, the UK or Canada!
There’s NO SUCH THING as a FREE LUNCH. Somebody’s always paying - and we’ll pay dearly for this communist pipe dream.
The republicans need all the help they can get. To save themselves from sleepwalking through the midterms
"Universal Health Care" means 'Universal Waiting in Lines". In France, patients diagnosed with cancer have to wait 6 months before they can get any care.
Sasha, revealing new talents such as ad creation right here in a column. We knew about the satire. Never get enough. Keep it coming!
I worked 5 decades for Medicare and SSI. And I'm STILL PAYING! Don't come here and get free anything. I don't get free anything, nothing! I pay real estate taxes, school taxes, per capita taxes, sales tax, gas tax, FEDERAL INCOME TAX, I'm sick of hearing the Bernie Bros talking this crap. You wonder why small town hospitals are going bankrupt??
I’ve been reading more about the affordability crisis. A good chunk of that is because fuel prices (including natural gas) are quite high. That in turn is partially because of Iran, but even more because the left has spent the last 3 decades shutting down every source of fuel and energy possible in the US. Fewer refineries, fewer pipelines, fewer wells.
Fuel is a major input into almost everything: truck and train transportation, storage, production, electricity, … the Left (with plenty of help from the right) has made energy production and consumption in the US far less affordable than it would otherwise be.
So in addition to throwing open our borders, importing voters who are often diametrically and even violently opposed to our culture and country, offering free medicine/housing/phones, and not enforcing violent crimes perpetrated by illegal migrants against US citizens, the Left has also made basically everything far
More expensive.
Yet Trump and the Republicans are blamed.
In part the Republicans should be blamed like Charlie Brown is to be blamed for trusting Lucy will hold the football, and so many of them have been complicit if not stealth accomplices. But until they figure out how to get that message to the independents and handful of persuadable Democrats (are there any???), they will lose
The GOP politicians are too stupid to take the Win. The Dems have handed it to them on a silver platter with their "Big Tent" BS. The DSA is kryptonite for the Democratic Party if only the RNC would spell it out and saturate the news channels for 60 days. But we are already inside that window and minds are being made up. The RNC are all chokers. So glad I am an independent but sad for our future under Communism