levelheadedind.bsky.social
@levelheadedind.bsky.social
We need more genuine human interaction, less coddling of perpetual offense-takers, greater discipline, more reliability, and more critical thinking
“Millions died because care was expensive” is not a measured fact. Most Americans are insured. Disability rolls rose w/ aging, opioids, obesity, and mental illness, not only bills. Unaffordable care is real. It does not explain the labor-force drop, or turn every non-worker into a casualty of prices
October 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
“Millions died because care was expensive” is not a measured fact. Most Americans are insured. Disability rolls rose w/ aging, opioids, obesity, and mental illness, not only bills. Unaffordable care is real. It does not explain the labor-force drop, or turn every non-worker into a casualty of prices
Your issue is that you want the easy path. You want to hide expensive health care under M4A. I prefer a long term solution to solve the issue of rising healthcare costs (utilization), which will actually make the US more healthy long term and places the US on a stable path long term.
October 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Your issue is that you want the easy path. You want to hide expensive health care under M4A. I prefer a long term solution to solve the issue of rising healthcare costs (utilization), which will actually make the US more healthy long term and places the US on a stable path long term.
I have stated several times that health care is expensive. What is there to reply too when i have stated it in almost every reply.
October 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I have stated several times that health care is expensive. What is there to reply too when i have stated it in almost every reply.
They all have a choice to take our company insurance of which we pay for half or they can go to the free market and we pay for half if they find a cheaper, more personalized, or better coverage.
October 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
They all have a choice to take our company insurance of which we pay for half or they can go to the free market and we pay for half if they find a cheaper, more personalized, or better coverage.
It doesn't need to be addressed. Where did I say employer provided insurance is free? Why would I need to address something it? And your claim isn't 100% accurate. As a small business owner of 16 full time employees of which have all been with the company since we I started it 9 years ago.
October 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
It doesn't need to be addressed. Where did I say employer provided insurance is free? Why would I need to address something it? And your claim isn't 100% accurate. As a small business owner of 16 full time employees of which have all been with the company since we I started it 9 years ago.
That's a small slice of a multi-trillion dollar issue, between 0.5%-3% lol. Just as reference for you to understand the magnitude of a million vs. billion vs trillion.
1 Million Seconds = ~11.5 Days
1 Billion Seconds = ~31.7 Years
1 Trillion Seconds = ~31,700 Years
1 Million Seconds = ~11.5 Days
1 Billion Seconds = ~31.7 Years
1 Trillion Seconds = ~31,700 Years
October 1, 2026 at 2:52 PM
That's a small slice of a multi-trillion dollar issue, between 0.5%-3% lol. Just as reference for you to understand the magnitude of a million vs. billion vs trillion.
1 Million Seconds = ~11.5 Days
1 Billion Seconds = ~31.7 Years
1 Trillion Seconds = ~31,700 Years
1 Million Seconds = ~11.5 Days
1 Billion Seconds = ~31.7 Years
1 Trillion Seconds = ~31,700 Years
The U.S. leads innovation, we lead in the implementation of new medical technologies and practices years ahead of other countries. Again, M4A does not solve any of the “main” factors that lead to higher health care costs.
October 1, 2026 at 4:20 AM
The U.S. leads innovation, we lead in the implementation of new medical technologies and practices years ahead of other countries. Again, M4A does not solve any of the “main” factors that lead to higher health care costs.
It’s not up for a debate. The data is extremely clear on this.
Look at Canada, it’s decline in hospitals per capita has been declining since its full implementation of M4A and banned new private hospitals in 1971 under the Private Hospitals Act. Which has led to the infamous “hallway medicine”
Look at Canada, it’s decline in hospitals per capita has been declining since its full implementation of M4A and banned new private hospitals in 1971 under the Private Hospitals Act. Which has led to the infamous “hallway medicine”
October 1, 2026 at 4:20 AM
It’s not up for a debate. The data is extremely clear on this.
Look at Canada, it’s decline in hospitals per capita has been declining since its full implementation of M4A and banned new private hospitals in 1971 under the Private Hospitals Act. Which has led to the infamous “hallway medicine”
Look at Canada, it’s decline in hospitals per capita has been declining since its full implementation of M4A and banned new private hospitals in 1971 under the Private Hospitals Act. Which has led to the infamous “hallway medicine”
Profit isn’t the main driver of high US costs. As I stated, Utilization (aging population, obesity, chronic disease) and higher prices/intensity of care are larger factors. Top facilities like Mayo and Cleveland are mostly nonprofits yet lead the world. Profit is a small slice of the pie.
October 1, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Profit isn’t the main driver of high US costs. As I stated, Utilization (aging population, obesity, chronic disease) and higher prices/intensity of care are larger factors. Top facilities like Mayo and Cleveland are mostly nonprofits yet lead the world. Profit is a small slice of the pie.
Additionally, you have yet to answer my question, When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper? You are making a politicians argument for one side is bad and the other side is good. I am not stating either side is good. I am pointing out that M4A is not solving any issues.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Additionally, you have yet to answer my question, When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper? You are making a politicians argument for one side is bad and the other side is good. I am not stating either side is good. I am pointing out that M4A is not solving any issues.
Uncompensated care from the uninsured is a real but secondary cost shift. It doesn’t explain why the same MRI or hip replacement costs far more here than in peer countries. Again, M4A doesn't address any actual drivers
health care.
health care.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Uncompensated care from the uninsured is a real but secondary cost shift. It doesn’t explain why the same MRI or hip replacement costs far more here than in peer countries. Again, M4A doesn't address any actual drivers
health care.
health care.
Aging, obesity, and chronic disease raise utilization. New drugs and hospital costs (construction, labor, rising property taxes, etc.) raise prices. ACA subsidies guarantee insurer revenue. While the US funds drug R&D while other countries freeload off the our investment.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Aging, obesity, and chronic disease raise utilization. New drugs and hospital costs (construction, labor, rising property taxes, etc.) raise prices. ACA subsidies guarantee insurer revenue. While the US funds drug R&D while other countries freeload off the our investment.
No. The national count of insurers isn’t what’s driving prices. Local markets are already concentrated. Hospital consolidation and high unit prices for hospital care and drugs matter more.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
No. The national count of insurers isn’t what’s driving prices. Local markets are already concentrated. Hospital consolidation and high unit prices for hospital care and drugs matter more.
Correction "the current Medicare system cost will still jump 50%+ in the next 10 years" this is CBO data
September 29, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Correction "the current Medicare system cost will still jump 50%+ in the next 10 years" this is CBO data
Which simply means that tax rates will go up on everyone under a M4A system. You need to look at the original post. My main argument is govt ran healthcare isn't "SUSTAINABLE." Not that it isn't good, or would be worse than our current system.
September 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Which simply means that tax rates will go up on everyone under a M4A system. You need to look at the original post. My main argument is govt ran healthcare isn't "SUSTAINABLE." Not that it isn't good, or would be worse than our current system.
Doctors will argue with governments instead of insurers. Taxes replace premiums. Again, nothing changes. Drugs prices will still gouge you indirectly, lobbying will still put money in pockets of politicians. Healthcare cost will still jump 50% in next 10 years under the current Medicare system.
September 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Doctors will argue with governments instead of insurers. Taxes replace premiums. Again, nothing changes. Drugs prices will still gouge you indirectly, lobbying will still put money in pockets of politicians. Healthcare cost will still jump 50% in next 10 years under the current Medicare system.
Health insurance is expensive, no one is debating that. The US spends ~1.8x peer nations. Most of the gap is higher hospital, physician, and drug prices, not just billing clerks. Single-payer systems still ration via waits, queues, and limited new treatments.
September 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Health insurance is expensive, no one is debating that. The US spends ~1.8x peer nations. Most of the gap is higher hospital, physician, and drug prices, not just billing clerks. Single-payer systems still ration via waits, queues, and limited new treatments.
with the lack of affective oversight.
September 28, 2026 at 3:15 AM
with the lack of affective oversight.
M4A doesn’t magically make healthcare cheaper, it just hides the cost in higher taxes. The govt already controls huge chunks of the system (which is one of many reasons why costs are high). Under M4A the govt would virtually control all of it which means another poorly ran and underfunded program…
September 28, 2026 at 3:15 AM
M4A doesn’t magically make healthcare cheaper, it just hides the cost in higher taxes. The govt already controls huge chunks of the system (which is one of many reasons why costs are high). Under M4A the govt would virtually control all of it which means another poorly ran and underfunded program…
The Tylenol example, you may directly pay $0.50. But the costs is still $30, probably more. You’ll just pay for it indirectly via taxes.
Where does the extra ~$4-5tril a year come from? Tax everyone harder and “hope” the hike won’t put us on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve?
Where does the extra ~$4-5tril a year come from? Tax everyone harder and “hope” the hike won’t put us on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve?
September 28, 2026 at 3:15 AM
The Tylenol example, you may directly pay $0.50. But the costs is still $30, probably more. You’ll just pay for it indirectly via taxes.
Where does the extra ~$4-5tril a year come from? Tax everyone harder and “hope” the hike won’t put us on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve?
Where does the extra ~$4-5tril a year come from? Tax everyone harder and “hope” the hike won’t put us on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve?
I understand everything that you said, and I see all the benefits that could come from it. However, it’s such a massive spending burden (~$4-5 trillion annually) that you have look at the negatives.
But answer me one question. When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper?
But answer me one question. When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper?
September 28, 2026 at 3:15 AM
I understand everything that you said, and I see all the benefits that could come from it. However, it’s such a massive spending burden (~$4-5 trillion annually) that you have look at the negatives.
But answer me one question. When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper?
But answer me one question. When has government intervention ever made anything cheaper?
Poverty rates are not increasing
September 25, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Poverty rates are not increasing
Census Bureau data for 2025 showed 34.5 million Americans lived in poverty which marked a decline of 0.5 percentage points from 2024. The 2025 rate is among the lowest on record since the Census Bureau began tracking it in 1959, with child poverty also hitting a historic low of 13.4%.
September 25, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Census Bureau data for 2025 showed 34.5 million Americans lived in poverty which marked a decline of 0.5 percentage points from 2024. The 2025 rate is among the lowest on record since the Census Bureau began tracking it in 1959, with child poverty also hitting a historic low of 13.4%.
I never said minimum wage jobs aren’t in high demand. Low demand jobs are a different category which is why I said “OR EVEN low demand”.
Low skill workers are in high demand, hence the competitive market pushing wages up organically while minimum wage rates are stagnant.
Low skill workers are in high demand, hence the competitive market pushing wages up organically while minimum wage rates are stagnant.
September 25, 2026 at 2:12 AM
I never said minimum wage jobs aren’t in high demand. Low demand jobs are a different category which is why I said “OR EVEN low demand”.
Low skill workers are in high demand, hence the competitive market pushing wages up organically while minimum wage rates are stagnant.
Low skill workers are in high demand, hence the competitive market pushing wages up organically while minimum wage rates are stagnant.
No small business is closing because they can’t compete with corporate labor rates. Who do you think is the biggest driver for increase of minimum wage? Who benefits from less competition?
September 25, 2026 at 2:03 AM
No small business is closing because they can’t compete with corporate labor rates. Who do you think is the biggest driver for increase of minimum wage? Who benefits from less competition?