A Public Insurance Option Is The Path To Universal Coverage

(This graphic image is from phsi.org.)

The United States is the only developed nation that doesn't recognize the right of every human to decent health care. In this country, health care has always been a product sold only to those who can afford it, and because of that many thousands die every year unnecessarily because they cannot afford the insurance that would save their lives.

The Republicans in our government think that's the way it should be. They talk about universal coverage, but vote against every effort to actually initiate it. They still believe health care is a product -- not a right.

Democrats believe differently. They believe health care is a right, and every citizen should have decent and affordable health care available to them. They want universal health care in this country, but aren't sure how to achieve it.

Some are calling for a single-payer, government-run insurance system (something like Medicare For All). This is not a bad idea, and I believe it will finally be the solution. The problem is that it still scares many Americans (because it would be a radical change, and they aren't sure how it would be paid for). Until a significantly bigger portion of the public wants it, our politicians are unlikely to even seriously discuss it.

What should we do then? It's obvious that our current system is broken. It doesn't cover everyone and it does nothing to control the sharply rising costs of health care. How can we fix it?

I believe the answer is the creation of a Public Option for health insurance.

* Medicaid should be eliminated, and the new Public Option should cover everything that the current Medicare program covers. This new program should be available to all citizens under the age of 65.

* This Public Option should be available to all Americans. Families and individuals making less than 100% to 150% of the poverty level should be immediately covered by the Public Option at no cost. The Public Option should be available to everyone else on a sliding scale of cost.

* The Public Option would be less expensive than private insurance, because by law it should be allowed to negotiate prices with drug companies and health care providers. It also would not have any profits to inflate the price (or enormous executive salaries, like private companies do).

* Open enrollment in the Public Option to businesses to cover their employees. Once many businesses and corporations understand they will save a significant amount of money by enrolling employees in the Public Option, they will do so (because it will increase their profits). We could even debate requiring businesses to cover all employees with insurance or pay a penalty (which will go to help fund the Public Option).

* Require all citizens to have health insurance, or pay a penalty equal to the cost of the Public Option.

Once a significant portion of individuals and businesses are participating in the Public Option, it will then be a small step to instituting a single-payer system for everyone.

I don't believe Medicare For All is achievable right now, but a Public Option is -- and that is the path we must take to universal health care.