Thanks Ches. I COMPLETELY would prefer a single payer system. I just have NO sympathy for insurance companies.
See my experience re "firing" insurance companies. Try it, it will make you feel "free at last". Understand your out of pocket expenses are high (I pay my employees med insurance, copays etc) but how expensive do you think it will be when it's "free"? I suspect your out of pocket $1,200 added to your $700 would be about right for the government's monthly monopolistic fee for your future free care.
Two points that perhaps you haven't considered.
1. Around the world single payer (aka socialized) systems are straining the budgets and racking up unsustainable future debts. All this and yet we are subsidizing their pharmaceutical costs! If they paid their fair share (and our pharma prices benefited) a truer, scarier picture would emerge.
2. Do you notice every few months there's a headline "Medicare Bilked for 30 Million Dollars" by doctors, medical device shams etc? Most recent one last week in Miami. The month before 20-30 million for mail order penis pumps etc. Exactly when was the last time you saw headlines "Local Medical Group Bilks Aetna (or name your private insurer) for 30 Million Dollars"? That alone ought to tell you how you will pine for the good old days when you only paid $1,200 out of pocket now and then.
Just food for thought.
(Frankly, I've been in practice for sooo long I'm just in it for fun but most of you will have to deal with the options on the table)
