The more Americans learn about ‘Medicare for All,’ the less they like it

In a recent op-ed (“’Health Care for All,’ the path forward,” Apr. 25), James F. Burdick claims that our opposition to so-called “Medicare for All” is not in the “best interests of patients.” Instead, he argues for repealing the foundations of American health care — including employer-provided coverage, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid — and starting over from scratch with a one-size-fits-all health care system run by Washington into which every American, whether young, old, sick or healthy, would be enrolled.

Thankfully, most Americans don’t agree. A national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that a majority of Americans want to improve and build upon what’s working and fix what isn’t, not scrap our existing health care in favor of “Medicare for All.” Earlier this year, Kaiser found that support for Medicare for All plummets once Americans learn it would eliminate their existing coverage, lead to longer wait times and lower-quality care and force families to pay higher taxes to cover its astronomical costs.

Independent analysts estimate the price tag could be as high as $60 trillion over 10 years. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that even a low-end estimate of $30 trillion “would mean increasing federal spending by about 60 percent (excluding interest)” and “require the equivalent of tripling payroll taxes or more than doubling all other taxes.” How is that in anyone’s best interests?

Today, roughly 90 percent of Americans are covered, and more than 217 million benefit from private coverage — including 180 million who receive coverage through their employers and 10 million who shopped for coverage in the marketplaces last year. More than 20 million seniors are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Public opinion research shows that a majority of Americans are satisfied with their coverage and care.

“Medicare for All” would eliminate all of this, along with traditional Medicare and Medicaid. It would shift health care decisions away from patients and doctors and put them in the hands of Washington bureaucrats.

A better way to extend access to millions and control costs is to expand Medicaid in the few states that have not yet expanded the program, strengthen subsidies so Americans of all income levels can choose market-based coverage that fits their needs and use proven tools like reinsurance to stabilize premiums.

Every American deserves access to quality, affordable care. But one-size-fitsall “Medicare for All” is the wrong way to achieve that goal.

Lauren Crawford Shaver The writer is executive director of Partnership for America’s Health Care Future. FOP needs to take responsibility when cops do wrong

The conviction of police officer Carlos Rivera-Martinez for assaulting a 16-yearold (on camera) speaks to a small portion of the problems that the Baltimore Police Department currently faces (“Baltimore police officer convicted of assault, misconduct in office for beating teenager near City Hall in 2016,” May 1). The Fraternal Order of Police’s response to the conviction, however, goes beyond the police department’s street misconduct and further exposes a toxic attitude of disconnect with its constituents that must be rectified if the department is ever to improve.

After a jury deliberated late into the night to find Mr. Rivera-Martinez guilty, the FOP issued a rambling written statement blaming everyone but the kitchen sink (i.e. the judge, the courts and most tellingly, the citizens the police department is supposed to serve).

First off, how about taking some responsibility for the incident? Second, a little deference or respect for an over-burdened system (partly the result of some of your arrests) would be nice considering there were discussions between the parties, the judge and the jury about staying late. Plus, there’s that whole U.S. Constitution thing and respecting verdicts along with it.

What’s really irksome here is the notion that the FOP’s concerns of “injustice” only apply only to their own. Never has the FOP stood up for the wrongs done to the average person in court, typically poor and often African-American. As a starting point to remedy this whole attitude, it helps to remember that cops are average people too.