If private insurance companies are lobbying to prevent Medicare for All because they’d lose their business, then make them the claims processors. Like, the government pays the bill, but the carrier process the claim as a contractor to the government. That way they can still be publicly trades and still keep their profit margin, and people still get guaranteed healthcare. They’d even be able to keep what they’ve killed in previous profit, and they’d not have to be the source of funds for actual claims.
Since there are a few companies, maybe we could even use a regional distribution of the populace for who has which card on their wallet. So maybe the east coast has Blue Cross Blue Shield, the west coast has Aetna, and the central states have Kaiser?
This way everyone wins: heal insurance keeps in business and still makes money; the people have healthcare; and the government improves the lives of its population, has fewer bankruptcies, and can tax the revenue of its contactors like they do with their current contractors.
There is no Republican health care plan because Obamacare is already the most conservative idea that could even conceivably work. It was directly based on existing Republican plans, like Romneycare in Massachusetts. It only became a toxic idea to them when Obama pushed it. They’ve been promising an alternative plan “any day now” since 2009. That plan doesn’t exist and never will.
It’s no coincidence that Republicans push HSAs. They don’t fix anything, but they are a tax haven for people of means. The funds can be used for general retirement later.
A 401k is money that goes in tax free, grows tax free, but is taxed when you take it out. An IRA is money that’s taxed now, but grows tax free and is withdrawan tax free. An HSA, though, does all three. Tax free now, tax free growth, tax free withdrawal.
Combine that with the fact that you can invest HSA funds in the stock market once you reach a certain threshold. Of course Republicans love it.
If you’re in the US, do what you need to do for you and your family. Often, taking the HSA with a Bronze plan is your best choice. Just keep in mind that it’s a tax dodge masquerading as a fix for a broken health care system.