By Marva Wade, October 10, 2018

Poll after poll shows that health care is a top voter concern this year.

No wonder. Health insurance premiums go up and up — 15 percent in New York state in 2017 — and close to a third of Americans with insurance report they cannot afford to see doctors and buy prescriptions.

With big premiums, deductibles and co-pays, private health insurance costs are burying American families. Virtually no one is without a story of a severe financial hardship when seeking care. In fact, the number one source of personal bankruptcy is health care — even for those who are privately insured.

When you add it all up — insurance premiums and deductibles, profits and outrageous administrative costs — and contrast that sum to projected taxes to fund a Medicare for All — aka single payer — system, the taxes are less. With Medicare for All, 90 percent of New Yorkers will pay less than they currently do for care. Unlike the current system, access is based upon need, not how much money is in your bank account.

Continue reading ...