[Xavier]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I don't care what the executives (or Morses) make, either. But my liberal friends who want the government to manage all healthcare in a national, single-payer system are outraged all the time, saying:

"The insurance companies are raking all the money out of healthcare spending".......

"The insurance companies are the evil culprit in all this, making too damn much money".......

"NOBODY should be making a profit on people's sickness and misery".

"The reason we should go to government single-payer system is because the insurance companies spend 30% of revenues on marketing and advertising. That is money that the government could use to insure the uninsured."

Example:

4) Can we afford single payer, if that means covering 47 million uninsured people?

Compared to other countries, the United States already pays enough to provide comprehensive coverage for everyone. However, coverage for everyone isn't realized because 31 percent of our health care spending goes for administration through the patchwork of private for-profit and not-for-profit insurance companies and health plans. Potential savings from eliminating the administrative waste and marketing expenditures of insurance carriers have been estimated at $350 billion per year.

GMHCC | Single Payer

"If the damn insurance companies weren't raking in so much in profits, there would be enough money to cover the uninsured people without raising everyone else's premiums and deductibles!"

"The insurance companies are driving the doctors and hospitals crazy and driving up their costs and fees, having to spend more time fighting with them on the phone to get them to pay for appropriate care, which is often denied!"

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So what does the government do with the current overhaul? They give United Healthcare even more business than they ever had.

AND, what are the marketing and advertising costs of ACA (so far) to reach the uninsureds in the country and advertise and convince them to sign up for ACA? Take a look:

"As [the new ACA] health care law moves from theory to reality in the coming months, its success may hinge on whether the best minds in advertising can reach one of the hardest-to-find parts of the population: people without health coverage.
The campaign won’t come cheap: The total amount to be spent nationally on publicity, marketing and advertising will be at least $684 million, according to data compiled The Associated Press from federal and state sources.
About 16 percent of Americans are uninsured, but despite years of political debate and media attention, more than three-quarters of them still know little about the law known as “Obamacare,” according to recent surveys."

‘Obamacare’ National Marketing Campaign To Cost Nearly $700 Million « CBS DC

I personally would have favored Medicare for those under 65 as a premium program that would convert to the current program at 65, but you've got to take what the obstructionists allow. Now, wouldn't it be nice if they could work together to make The Affordable Care Act better and more efficient. Don't hold your breath! Thank God for AARP and those who care about the little people instead of just those few who don't need the help.

Xavier