NBC: Free primary care for all: Democratic think tank pushes the party on new health policy

[TheProle]

As Democrats look for a viable healthcare message ahead of the midterm elections, one well-connected think tank is pushing the party to embrace a new idea: free primary care for all Americans.

Searchlight Institute senior fellow David Bowen, a former Senate aide who helped craft the Affordable Care Act, said it would be delivered either through that law’s marketplaces, expanding on the preventive services mandate, or through a new “public option” that the group is calling the “American Health Gateway.”

“We know very, very well that getting people better primary care is a conduit to better overall health,” said Bowen, who led the policy report, which was first shared with NBC News. “It’s conduit to savings, and we want to make sure that people are not dissuaded by cost from doing that. We also provide a new way of expanding people’s coverage to recognize the reality of families today.”

The proposal comes as millions of Americans have lost access to health insurance or seen their coverage downgraded after Republicans allowed enhanced ACA subsidies to expire at the end of last year.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/democrats-free-primary-care-all-healthcare-elections-rcna345145

[Scrivener7]

1. Odd positioning. A very new think tank had an idea, but this article is pushing it like it's a new party policy.

It's a great idea, but it's just an idea, and it certainly isn't a new one.

[TheProle]

2. In fairness, the first paragraph makes it pretty clear it's a proposal and not party policy

as does the headline

[Scrivener7]

4. In all fairness, I bet both you and I entertained the idea for this a dozen years ago. Why is NBC

reporting the fact that these guys just thought about it as news? When the think tank convinces the party to go ahead with it, THAT will be news.

If there's a Democratic think tank out there that HASN'T thought about this, that think tank's members should probably pack up and go home.

The fact that NBC is reporting that they entertained this idea gives it a weird weight.

[travelingthrulife]

3. And pay a fortune if you have to go to a specialist?

Why splinter it like this? We just want single payer healthcare for everyone.

[Prairie_Seagull]

5. New or not, this is/would be a great prelimary position

for the mid-terms and make it a plank for the Presidential.

This kind of bold thinking is just what is needed.

IMO

[leftstreet]

6. Good grief. Just do Medicare For All n/t

[Mysterian]

7. Democratic leaders better get on board with this right now