There’s really only two ways to do it, and both are really options of “Single Payer.”

Option 1: Single Payer. Government covers everything.

Option 2: Government runs a single payer “high risk” pool. Find the amount where 95% of people between the ages of 21 and 65 wouldn’t exceed and make that the deductible. So basically you’d be on the hook for the first $5000/year or so, and the government insurance would kick in after that. Private insurance companies or pre-paid health plans can offer plans for the 0-5000 range, or you can just pay it.

I prefer option #2 in theory because I think it will enable competition to keep costs down. You’d be able to get a $99 mammogram at Wal*Mart. But since I don’t trust the Government to do #2 right, I’d pick #1.

For an example on how I don’t trust the Government to do #2 right, I’m concerned politicians would put so many restrictions on the type of private policies a person could get for the gap, that it would just make a big mess.

Take this piece-of-work from the NY State Assembly. A family-values Republican. Rallied against same-sex marriage laws in NY State, and spoke out against Obama and Ombama Care (and before Obama’s compromise). But he doesn’t hesitate to force private insurance companies to cover additional things:

nysenate.gov

I’m not trying to judge whether there shouldn’t be public funding for children with Autism. It’s probably a good idea. But I’m amused at how these Republicans try to fund it….while at the same time being against a Single-Payer health care system.

I, for one, would love to be able to get $10,000/year minimum deductible health insurance. The premium should be very low, and I’d be willing to take the risk. But it’s simply not available in California. Why? Because there are so many “must cover” provisions that insurance companies simply can’t offer it.

To me, to avoid this mess, single payer, “government pays everything” is the only thing that can possibly work. (Even then there are issues with being forced to cover “alternative” medicine, Chiropractic, etc, that I’m not sure the Government should pay for.)