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... US government-run "socialism". Because we all know how well they run all the other programs, especially if you've dealt with healthcare they already run (m

... US government-run "socialism". Because we all know how well they run all the other programs, especially if you've dealt with healthcare they already run (military and VA). I'd imagine people would be clamoring for socialized medicine if they fixed the VA to be a shining example.

paxys 3y ago
And yet Medicare has a 94% satisfaction rate.
- giantg2 3y ago
  Sure, once they pay their tax for decades, pay their premiums and copay, and buy their supplimental private insurance (not to mention facilities diffusing some costs through higher price setting of private parties). It's not a bad system, but you can't really scale a system that takes decades to fund and requires all these other costs. Especially since this conversation is about debt to medical facilities which can still occur under Medicare (or be forced onto Medicaid). Yes, supposedly it would save the US $2 trillion over 10 years, although there is some debate on that. Edit: why disagree?
lazide 3y ago
The VA may suck. But compared to 90% of private insurance, it’s amazing.
- giantg2 3y ago
  That has not be the experiences I've heard of from just about anyone who has had both.
  - lazide 3y ago
    Compared to a PPO plan? Definitely has been what I’ve seen.
    - giantg2 3y ago
      Distances to the VA can be far for many. It can be extremely difficult to be seen by another facility/provider. It can be difficult to get/use your benefits in general. PPOs are basically the same type of restrictions, only the facilities tend to be held to higher state standards.
      - lazide 3y ago
        A lot of veterans live in rural areas. Far more than you’d expect. Anecdotally, literally 100% of all the ones I know, but definitely not all. If you compared normal insurance and care options where they are at (especially considering their income level) to VA care, it’s actually quite good. Especially if you know how to treat them more like an HMO and work the system. Private rural medical care is… not great. And usually requires a lot of travel. And unlike the VA, is rarely in a single facility. Generally everyone bitches about it though, because that’s how the military works anyway. And yes there are often (changing) systematic issues, though they often get fixed. Are there better options? Yes, especially if you’re high income and can afford a higher tier private plan, and/or live in a higher population density area where facilities and standards of care can afford to be higher. That is not a typical situation for most Veterans though, for many reasons. And not a typical situation for a lot of the population either.

paxys 3y ago

And yet Medicare has a 94% satisfaction rate.

giantg2 3y ago
Sure, once they pay their tax for decades, pay their premiums and copay, and buy their supplimental private insurance (not to mention facilities diffusing some costs through higher price setting of private parties). It's not a bad system, but you can't really scale a system that takes decades to fund and requires all these other costs. Especially since this conversation is about debt to medical facilities which can still occur under Medicare (or be forced onto Medicaid). Yes, supposedly it would save the US $2 trillion over 10 years, although there is some debate on that. Edit: why disagree?

lazide 3y ago

The VA may suck. But compared to 90% of private insurance, it’s amazing.

giantg2 3y ago
That has not be the experiences I've heard of from just about anyone who has had both.
- lazide 3y ago
  Compared to a PPO plan? Definitely has been what I’ve seen.
  - giantg2 3y ago
    Distances to the VA can be far for many. It can be extremely difficult to be seen by another facility/provider. It can be difficult to get/use your benefits in general. PPOs are basically the same type of restrictions, only the facilities tend to be held to higher state standards.
    - lazide 3y ago
      A lot of veterans live in rural areas. Far more than you’d expect. Anecdotally, literally 100% of all the ones I know, but definitely not all. If you compared normal insurance and care options where they are at (especially considering their income level) to VA care, it’s actually quite good. Especially if you know how to treat them more like an HMO and work the system. Private rural medical care is… not great. And usually requires a lot of travel. And unlike the VA, is rarely in a single facility. Generally everyone bitches about it though, because that’s how the military works anyway. And yes there are often (changing) systematic issues, though they often get fixed. Are there better options? Yes, especially if you’re high income and can afford a higher tier private plan, and/or live in a higher population density area where facilities and standards of care can afford to be higher. That is not a typical situation for most Veterans though, for many reasons. And not a typical situation for a lot of the population either.