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Ask them how many insurers they got to choose from when they got their most recent job. I would bet a truckload of money that it's between zero and one. What

Ask them how many insurers they got to choose from when they got their most recent job. I would bet a truckload of money that it's between zero and one. What kind of choice is that?

costcopizza 10y ago
Wouldn't they then refute with: "My employer chose between the insurer competition, not I" implying that there's still competition? (for the record I am pro single payer)
- stanleydrew 10y ago
  Yes that would be the standard reply. But the point is to shift the terms of the discussion away from choice vs non-choice and towards the realization that you're not making a choice at all. Someone is making a choice for you.
- thephyber 10y ago
  While they wouldn't be wrong, I think one of the huge distortions in the US health insurance market is that most of us get our health insurance through our companies. It distorts & hides costs, and it prevents employees from leaving for fear of health coverage uncertainty.
  - costcopizza 10y ago
    I agree. Employers don't pay for a number of other insurances, why should health be different?
wernercd 10y ago
That's the kind of choice left when "You like your Doctor/Plan, you can keep them" comes to fruition. It's also hard to afford better plans when the $2500 a year in savings turns into $2500 a year more in premiums... and then you have to pay thousands in deductibles before you can even "use" your insurance. Oh yeah... the Government Option is a real winner. Wait... I know... lets go to the VA model where people aren't dying... while on waiting lists... and the administration spends millions on Bonuses, Art Work and Vacations. Lack of choice? That's from lack of ACTUAL 'free market competition'. Taking away more choice and removing more competition isn't the way to solve the problem caused by removing choice and competition. The worst thing you can hear? I'm from the Government and I'm here to help.
- infinite8s 10y ago
  Do you want a choice of health insurance or a choice of health care? If you actually want choice in health care, then single payer makes the most sense since you can just go to whichever doctor you want (since they will all be part of the single payer system).
  - wernercd 10y ago
    I want the government involved as little as possible. Two things don't happen with the government: Affordable and easy access. "Free" might sound affordable... until you have to pay the taxes that drive "free". And government run anything? Yeah... how about a big ole glass of no. With a double dose of hell no. Look at all the cost overruns, crappy care and red tape surrounding the VA, Medicare, Medicaid...

Ask them how many insurers they got to choose from when they got their most recent job. I would bet a truckload of money that it's between zero and one. What kind of choice is that?

costcopizza 10y ago

Wouldn't they then refute with: "My employer chose between the insurer competition, not I" implying that there's still competition? (for the record I am pro single payer)

stanleydrew 10y ago
Yes that would be the standard reply. But the point is to shift the terms of the discussion away from choice vs non-choice and towards the realization that you're not making a choice at all. Someone is making a choice for you.
thephyber 10y ago
While they wouldn't be wrong, I think one of the huge distortions in the US health insurance market is that most of us get our health insurance through our companies. It distorts & hides costs, and it prevents employees from leaving for fear of health coverage uncertainty.
- costcopizza 10y ago
  I agree. Employers don't pay for a number of other insurances, why should health be different?

wernercd 10y ago

That's the kind of choice left when "You like your Doctor/Plan, you can keep them" comes to fruition. It's also hard to afford better plans when the $2500 a year in savings turns into $2500 a year more in premiums... and then you have to pay thousands in deductibles before you can even "use" your insurance. Oh yeah... the Government Option is a real winner. Wait... I know... lets go to the VA model where people aren't dying... while on waiting lists... and the administration spends millions on Bonuses, Art Work and Vacations. Lack of choice? That's from lack of ACTUAL 'free market competition'. Taking away more choice and removing more competition isn't the way to solve the problem caused by removing choice and competition. The worst thing you can hear? I'm from the Government and I'm here to help.

infinite8s 10y ago
Do you want a choice of health insurance or a choice of health care? If you actually want choice in health care, then single payer makes the most sense since you can just go to whichever doctor you want (since they will all be part of the single payer system).
- wernercd 10y ago
  I want the government involved as little as possible. Two things don't happen with the government: Affordable and easy access. "Free" might sound affordable... until you have to pay the taxes that drive "free". And government run anything? Yeah... how about a big ole glass of no. With a double dose of hell no. Look at all the cost overruns, crappy care and red tape surrounding the VA, Medicare, Medicaid...