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Both Republicans and Democrats agree with consumers, the nation has a health-care crisis with people struggling to afford the accelerating costs of healthcare. According to Julie Rovner on C-SPAN, with insurance profits capped at 15% by the Affordable Care Act, the bulk of costs in the system come from providers and drug costs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data indicate corporatization is a major contributor, especially through provider consolidation and reduced competition.
To address the crisis, Troy Jackson supports Medicare for All, and says he will take on big corporations in the system. He has shown his commitment in his record in the Maine Senate and in his promises for when he becomes a U.S. senator.
Susan Collins’ opposes Medicare for All or seemingly any other comprehensive reform of the entire health-care industrial complex that could reduce corporate power and profit. Her voting record on corporate tax cuts and her dependence on pharmaceutical-industry campaign support are evidence to me of her support for increasing corporatization of the system.
With the right design, Medicare for All could simplify the inefficient, fragmented, and multilayered health-care financing that includes Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ health programs, private insurance, and separate coverage arrangements for services such as prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. With the right design, universal coverage, cradle to grave, could reduce or eliminate the role of private insurers and lower administrative costs associated with multiple payers.
I believe Troy Jackson has the right priorities to help create and implement the right design.
Alice Bolstridge
Presque Isle