Personal Responsibility in Healthcare: Why Medicare for All Might Not Work

As an independent worker, my views on healthcare are shaped by a different perspective. Many Americans have faced challenges during the pandemic, such as losing their jobs and healthcare coverage. How do you navigate the healthcare landscape when your insurance is tied to your employer? For some, the idea of Medicare for all seems like a solution, but for others, it's simply not a feasible option. Let's explore why personal responsibility and cash pay doctors offer a more viable alternative.

No Ties to Employer

The pandemic has forced many individuals, like myself, to become self-employed. As a result, my insurance was never tied to my employer. This non-dependent status has allowed me to maintain control over my healthcare choices. I have always despised the idea of Medicare for all, not because I don't believe in providing healthcare to everyone, but because I don't believe it's the best solution for me personally.

Even when I qualified for state insurance, I didn't take it. My decision was based on the belief that I could make better healthcare choices for myself. Whether it was under Obamacare or any other plan, I steadfastly refused to opt-in because I didn't want it.

Benefits of Cash Pay Doctors

My views on healthcare have evolved significantly since then. One of the most profound realizations is that I get MUCH better, more extensive care when I visit a cash pay doctor. These practitioners understand that they are selling a service to someone who is paying out of pocket. Therefore, the care they provide has to be of the highest quality, as it directly impacts their bottom line. A cash pay doctor is a world apart from those who accept insurance. The difference is significant because they focus on delivering value to the patient rather than processing claims and dealing with insurance bureaucracy.

There is also flexibility and options when you pay for your healthcare yourself. If you want to see an MD or a specialist, no referral needed. If you prefer alternative and integrative medicine like naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, or acupuncture, those are all available to you. There are no limitations or restrictions, just endless options and freedom to choose what works best for you.

Money and Healthcare

The core issue, in my view, is about money. I personally believe that everyone should be responsible for their health. Why should someone else pay for my healthcare, especially if I'm not using it to its fullest? A system that pays for everyone's care might incentivize risky behavior, as people wouldn't bear the full cost of their actions.

Think about it: if your healthcare is covered, you might engage in riskier activities without considering the consequences. Broken bones from reckless stunts, alcohol poisoning, and even cancer from poor lifestyle choices could all be someone else's burden. I'm certainly not willing to pay for other people's care through increased taxation on my income, especially since I have five children to take care of.

Moreover, our healthcare spending has not even come close to matching the cost of an insurance premium. Our family has tracked our expenses, and what we spend on health care is a fraction of what an insurance plan would cost. Given this, it simply doesn't make financial sense to pay for something we don't use or justify for our kids' future expenses.

To wrap things up, there's no need for a healthy person in their 20s like me to regularly visit the doctor. But if I need to, there are plenty of charities that can help. Medicare is not a silver bullet, and studies show that 30% of those eligible choose private insurance instead. In the end, personal responsibility and cash pay doctors offer a more sustainable and effective healthcare model.