I asked for an example of why a single-payer system might be not better than our current system. I some fairly bizarre comments that had nothing to do with position from you. Tele went off on a rant about fat people and illegal immigration. Ravvt gave me an example of problems with a multi-payer system, and then seemed to get huffy when I pointed that out.


The example that I showed provides some insight into the cost problems that will surface if or when an expanded single payer system is forced on the society. The current cost problem for the 5 guaranteed issue / community rating states is not related to multipayer systems but rather, it is a reasonable reflection of the added cost when those single payer features are added to the cost of healthcare ... they double the cost of insurance.


As to your other statement:

I'm a pragmatist. Single-payers systems have demonstrably better outcomes at a much reduced cost. Them's the facts. That's why I'm in favor it.


... I think you're looking at the single payer performance from other countries and blindly applying those results to the US ... but you are ignoring the problems with the current single payer system that's already in place in the US, i.e. Medicare.

Somehow, single payer advocates always trumpet the merits of single payer systems but ignore the cost realities as applied to the US system: Rampant cost shifting by Medicare to private insurance and unfunded liabilities.

... If the Congress writes a bill that destroys the private insurace market, Medicare will be standing naked with no place to hide their excess costs...

... and someone has to pay for the $88.9Trillion unfunded liability associated with the current Medicare system.

Given the abysmal performance of this current single payer system in the US, it's little wonder that the pols are hiding or delaying details of their healthcare legislation ...