The real problem is that the public option got replaced with marketplaces and employer-provided insurance got enshrined in the law. If we Americans were serious about having a free market we’d do the following:
- ban employer-provided insurance entirely.
- provide tax breaks for employers who provide insurance stipends to their employees
- provide tax breaks for people to buy insurance on the marketplaces
- make open enrollment a once a quarter or once a month thing, or even allow you to switch insurance anytime.
The entire problem is that there’s no free market. The people using it aren’t able to negotiate. And when there’s a problem you have to pay your insurance until open enrollment. This means you have no way to vote with your wallet.
Frankly I'm a little confused what you are in favor of. On the one hand you seen to want a public option while on the other hand you seen to be in favor of a free market.
- ban employer-provided insurance entirely. - provide tax breaks for employers who provide insurance stipends to their employees - provide tax breaks for people to buy insurance on the marketplaces - make open enrollment a once a quarter or once a month thing, or even allow you to switch insurance anytime.
The entire problem is that there’s no free market. The people using it aren’t able to negotiate. And when there’s a problem you have to pay your insurance until open enrollment. This means you have no way to vote with your wallet.