Portside

The most successful health insurance program, Medicare, was enacted in July,1965 to provide health insurance for people ages 65 and older and disabled regardless of income or medical history. Medicare is more efficient than private health insurance

The corporatization of health care has changed the practice of medicine, causing many physicians to feel alienated from their work.

Last year, the federal government spent $20.5 billion overpaying private insurers for Medicare Advantage plans — and the industry’s aggressive lobbying campaign is kneecapping efforts by lawmakers to stop the scheme.

The Medicare privatization program "presents a threat to the integrity of traditional Medicare, and an opportunity for corporations to take money from taxpayers while denying care to beneficiaries," said Physicians for a National Health Program.

As yet another scandal involving Medicare Advantage made headlines this week, progressive U.S. lawmakers and advocates renewed calls to abolish the private health insurance program.

AARP, the advocacy organization is welcoming the for-profit takeover of its members’ national health insurance program — because it earns hundreds of millions as part of the deal.

While the pricing data is unlikely to lower costs, said one critic, it may help "produce the political will for real reform."

An impending move to privately managed health plans could save taxpayers as much as $600 million annually — at a high cost to retirees, who may have to pay more for less care and fewer doctor choices, some warn.

If you have Medicare, you know you just have to give your provider your Medicare card and they will bill Medicare for your treatment. Improved Medicare for All would do away with the need for supplemental coverage and expand the services covered.

Not only would universal healthcare reduce taxes for most people, it would also lead to the biggest take-home pay raise in a generation for most workers