Republican Healthcare Plan

The other problem is that our healthcare system is a trillion dollar system, so changing its course will be like a tug boat against a flotilla of container ships. You can't do it all in one go, but constant change over time will get it moving in the wrong direction.In 2009 the Blue Dog Democrats from conservative states were the downfall of the public option. Support for the public option in liberal states was overwhelming. As they say, all politics are local.The poll you posted is also a bit misleading."Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?"That question does not specifically point to the type of federally funded single payer system we are talking about. Some people being polled could take that question to mean that it's the responsibility of the government to make sure everyone has access to private insurance.

It isn't the perfect solution, but no solution is. With that in mind, there are some obvious flaws in that system. First, it will be hard for small states to negotiate prices down, especially when it comes to drugs. If smaller states can band together with larger states then they will have more bargaining power. Second, what happens when you get sick outside of your state of residence? That sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. Third, what happens to people in stridently conservative states (like the one I live in) who refuse to create these healthcare systems?The real problem is cost, not how to pay for private insurance. We could still have a system with multiple private insurers and federally controlled healthcare prices. We do the very same thing with utilities, where states control how much companies can charge for things like electricity.As I said before, no plan is perfect, and a state by state mish mash of systems would be better than no plan at all. We will have to see what the Republicans come up with. I am guessing it will be almost indistinguishable from the ACA, but we will see.

5. Whatever you do, don't touch my Medicare (without a hint of self awareness or sense of irony).

Add in the fact that McCain isn't running for reelection and probably has terminal cancer, and you suddenly have a senator that has run out of fucks to give. If I were McCain, I wouldn't want this albatross of a health care bill hanging on my legislative legacy as I leave office.