Question: Privatizing Medicare

[pdq]

davester wrote:
This is nothing other than a money grab attempt by the moneyed interests.

The moneyed interests (i.e. republican fatcats) are always trying to steal the public treasurey.

Hey. Don't blame a dog for being a dog, y'know?

Just don't let the dog take over your health care (no matter how much he barks).

[JoeH]

Well, the privately provided Medicare Plus plans worked out so well, didn't they? Proponents from the private companies sold Congress on them with claims they could provide more coverage for less cost. By early in W's first term it was clear they couldn't or wouldn't provide coverage for the same cost and got Congress to okay a subsidized payment to keep Medicare Plus the same cost to subscribers as traditional Medicare. Last I checked a few years ago that subsidy was in the 13-15% range.

Anyways, there have been many studies over the years that have disproved the contention that privatization will always result in cost savings. Much of the time government can provide services cheaper than private companies.