Medicare For Anybody :: Healthcare to Heal a Broken America
UPDATE 9.1.2021: Today, Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) reintroduced the State Public Option Act, bicameral legislation to create a Medicaid-based public health insurance option to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by providing Americans with a new high-quality, low-cost choice when purchasing health insurance.
In 2011, an unemployed North Carolina man robbed a bank for $1 just so he could be sent to jail to receive free medical health care. One shouldn't need to go to prison to get healthcare. Medicare for All Needed
The State Public Option Act will allow states to create a Medicaid buy-in program for all of their residents regardless of income, giving everyone the option to buy into a state-driven Medicaid health insurance plan.
A summary of the MEDICAID for Anybody legislation is available here:
State Medicaid For Anybody Act Summary
I offered a similar plan to my U.S. Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, two years ago (see below).
UPDATE 12.10.2020: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders's most vocal and visible ally, admitted recently Democrats may need to "compromise deeply" on the "Medicare for All" plan to pass the legislation. Medicare for All in its current form is DOA in Congress with both Democrats and Republicans. Here in Hawai'i, we work to find aloha solutions to challenges. We have a proposal for America.
My friend Malia is compassionate and seeks to help millions of Americans. But ObamaCare doesn't work — it has become extremely expensive — around $1,000/month for a single subscriber in many places. Open enrollment has begun for the Health Insurance Marketplace (visit HealthCare.gov). You can create an account to check plans and pricing for yourself.
Here are the quotes I received in December 2020. The Bronze plan runs $725.25/month for me, as an individual. Note there is a $7,000 deductible. I must "meet" that deductible before any insurance payments begin. Insurance premiums for the year total over $8,703.00 alone.
The Gold plan runs $1,016.13/month — or $12,195.72 for the year. There is a $1,000 deductible before plan payments begin. Neither of these plans are affordable for most Americans.
As I shared with my friend, I voted for and supported ObamaCare, but it failed to perform as we hoped. Insurance pools for Private Companies are too small and costs are now too high. Medicare For All won't work for America at this time either.
There is a compromise: Medicare for Anybody. People can join as they wish; nobody is forced; and prices will be far lower than ObamaCare premiums — due to the larger size of the Medicare pool.
Tried to get my U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to adopt this proposal. She's been a strong leader, due to her moderate and middle-of-the-road positions. Unfortunately, she decided not to run for re-election and retires from Congress this year.
UPDATE 8.3.2020: Jeffrey Young, writing in HuffPost, pointed out correctly the American healthcare system leaves us all vulnerable to massive costs and uneven access, even under the best of circumstances. Unfortunately, as we witness now, when the economy goes south, things get really awful.
Although unions have been supportive of Senator Sanders, they are highly divided over his proposed Medicare for All proposal. The 60,000-member Culinary Workers Union declined to endorse any Democrat in the Nevada caucuses stating Medicare for All threatens hard-won private health plans they previously negotiated.
More liberal unions, such as the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union, claim leaving health benefits to the government could free unions to focus on wages and working conditions. Conservative unions like the International Association of Fire Fighters and New York's Building & Construction Trades Council don’t trust government to create a health plan as good as what their members currently enjoy.
The current national disaster and global pandemic we suffer has illustrated one critical aspect about healthcare in America — forcing individuals and families to obtain their medical insurance through their employer is (1) costly and (2) dangerously inefficient when people lose their job, want to work for themselves or are interested in a position at a company that does not offer healthcare coverage. We're the only nation in the world that operates like this. It's time for a national upgrade.
Have you considered: Medicare For Anybody? This is a proposed public option that offers Americans the opportunity to buy into government-run insurance plans. Nobody is forced to switch plans. Private companies are not required to offer such plans. This is FREEDOM to decide what is best for you and your family.
Spent the past year trying to get an audience with Tulsi. She's my U.S. Represenative was running for president. Volunteered with her campaign and was able to meet with her father. Pleaded with him to get my message to Tulsi.
Didn't ask anything from Tulsi. Offered to pay my way to meet her Anytime/Anywhere. Just wanted to give her a realistic plan that would launch her to national status. The time is now!
I post my letter to her father and Tulsi's campaign I sent months ago. Presidential-candidate Kamala Harris had released something similar at the time, which wasn't realistic. I believed Tulsi could make headlines and improve her political standing. Unfortunately, she refused to meet with me. She's my represenative and I wanted to help both her and the nation.
Medicare For All is an excellent plan. In a perfect world, this would be the best solution for Americans. As we know, the world isn't perfect. We can't jump from where we are today to Medicare For All in one giant leap. This would be too disruptive to our economy and the healthcare insurance industry.
The solution is an interim step of a "public option" that is voluntary and available to anyone who wishes to participate. I call this Medicare For Anybody. If an individual or family likes their current private healthcare plan, they keep what they have. If they are dissatisfied, they can join Medicare For Anybody. No pressure — just savings!
This insurance plan would not be free. Individuals and families would pay a monthly premium, as we currently do with other private sector coverage. However, Medicare has a lower overhead and can purchase services in bulk. This allows Medicare plans to offer the same coverage as does a private company, but for lower costs.
For example, I was recently covered by a COBRA plan through CIGNA. Cost me $699 per month. Premiums for the Affordable Care Act program (above) cost over $725 per month (Bronze Plan) and over $1,016 per month (Gold Plan). A similar Medicare For Anybody plan would cost about $399 per month for an individual. This would save an individual a minimum of $3,600 per year. Wowzer!
Now, what would you do?
Aloha Mike and Tulsi,
My healthcare plan is similar to the proposal expressed by Kamala Harris. But better — as my plan doesn't require a ten-year transition. It utilizes the foundation created by the Afordable Care Act. Most importantly, my plan does not force individuals to make a choice or give up an existing plan.
Medicare For Anybody is a voluntary program. The plan does not threaten existing private healthcare insurers, although it does introduce greater competition into the market. Bottom line is the plan saves subscribers money, while increasing payments and reinbursements to providers.
These outcomes are possible because the plan reduces waste, duplication and inefficiencies entrenched in the currently bloated healthcare system.
Kamala Harris Unveils Her Version Of "Medicare For All" [source]
Better than Kamala's proposal and it's called Medicare For Anybody. Overall concept is clear and simple. It's easy to explain and implement. We needed details to remain secret — as Tulsi will receive the most effective coverage by a major launch. I respect what Tulsi and Bernie represent. I'm their loyal solider. The time is now to unveil this plan for the nation.
Rather than Obama's Affordable Care Act, it will be the AnyBodyCare Act ... national website would be ABC.gov. How easy and clean would this be?
Tulsi has been FIRST in many pursuits in her life. She can now capture headlines and hearts of Americans. The time is now!
Kamala's Proposed Plan:
Government-run insurance, but with a 10-year transition and a private alternative for those who want it. We can't wait ten years. Commander Tulsi, the time in now!
Her program would eventually replace employer-sponsored plans, over the course of a decadelong transition. It would allow private insurers to offer an alternative form of coverage, much as they do today for seniors on Medicare.
Have a wonderful day!
InfoImagination director, Scott Goold, seeks to meet with his political represenative, Tulsi Gabbard, about a proposed healthcare solution for America. Tulsi is a fourth-term United States Congresswoman from the 2nd District of Hawai'i. Scott currently lives on O'ahu but remains in her district at his 96746 Kaua'i zipcode location.
He votes for her, supports her campaign financially, volunteers for her campaign, and believes Tulsi Gabbard is the only political leader in America with both the Compassion and Wisdom to heal this nation.
Mr. Goold recognizes Representative Gabbard is extremely busy in her dedicated efforts to serve this nation and the people of Hawai'i Nei, as well as continue her campaign for president. [photo credit: TULSI 2020]
Aloha Tulsi,
I have repeatedly requested a brief amount of your time. Our nation is gridlocked in frustration and infighting over healthcare. The Democratic party is split between an Old Guard of corporate-funded dinosaurs and an emerging youthful but inexperienced coalition that unwittingly idealizes socialism.
Republicans remain entrenched in their opposition to increased governmental control over the market, while private healthcare insurers, hospitals and BigPhRMA are replete with inefficiency, waste and fraud. Conservatives advocate a Repeal & Replace policy without any replacement policy. I offer a compromise.
As a career political analyst and healthcare professional, I believe I have a solution that will allow you to break through our national impasse. I am just a humble, ordinary person. Yet I have an unusual and quirky mind that sometimes sees what many cannot.
I choose to offer this proposal to you, as you are both compassionate and wise. You are my representative here in the islands. I see you as our country's hope, as you live aloha in your heart and express this passion in all your activities and work.
America has been most proud and successful when we champion, rather than despise, our diversity. Your Caucasion Christian mother found a path to Hinduism, as well as married a Samoan of European descent, who was raised in the Deep South. His father served as an Air Force Sergeant, while his path took him into the Catholic seminary. You represent the "bright colors, beautiful sounds, and fragrant aromas of both Christian and Hindu celbrations." You honorably serve today to open doors and opportunities for all Americans and the world.
Healthcare represents healing. I believe my proposal will help you heal the nation. There is too much pain and suffering. It's a simple proposal, but it is sufficiently complex to address the needs of this glorious and world-leading nation.
I understand the complex challenges our nation faces. Like you, I have a mixed ethnic background and have pursued a diverse professional path:
- PhD-candidate and research program beginnng in 1993 focused on healthcare and environmental policy;
- earned Silver medal in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, as a coach and trainer with Chinese Women's Volleyball team;
- program coordinator with Department of Health to reduce smoking-initiation among kids and teens, and to end secondhand smoking in our communities;
- co-director HoopCamp.net dedicated to enhancing the lives of Special Needs and autistic athletes;
- conducted medical and insurance industry analysis for workers' compensation;
- earned advanced community addiction recovery (CARS) certification in 2011 and advanced accredication in 2013 from the CDC and University of New Mexico School of Medicine focused on ending the opioid epidemic, and most recently;
- certified as a COVID-19 Contact Tracer through Johns Hopkins University.