Until I turned 65-years old I would have agreed that “Medicare For All” would be a good idea.

But after actually entering the system, I have to disagree.

Medicare is full of of good intentions. This is true. And many Seniors genuinely love their Medicare coverage. The program makes sure that seniors are covered for the basics. It’s affordable if you’re still working or have retirement funds. But for those of us who worked our whole lives without big savings or pensions, Medicare feels expensive, and often, unpredictable.

What? You thought Medicare was a completely free healthcare plan for US Citizens over the age of 65? That’s what you were told all of your life? You thought that Medicare For All would cover all US Citizens free of charge?

No, that’s Universal Healthcare.

Universal Healthcare means the government covers the cost of care, the way most social democracies do. A government fund would cover healthcare costs, and hopefully, preventative healthcare education. Walk into a hospital, show your ID, get your service, you are done. The government pays. Doctors still decide your medical needs. Not a bureaucracy. There would be no insurance companies. No Big Pharma. No hassle. It should be that simple.

Of course, under UHC, elective procedures would be on you. California is not going to pay for your elective cosmetic surgeries!

Medicare is a stepping stone to Universal Healthcare, that is true. The thing that is difficult with Medicare is knowing whether or not I will be billed for something. I haven’t had any major issues since becoming a member of the Medicare Club, but the anxiety around surprise charges is constant. Even a $10, $20, or $40 charge is out of budget for me in any given month.

Medicare was designed for an older America, and when people say “Medicare for All,” I understand the wish behind it. But maybe it’s time we think bigger. What we really need is Universal Health and Universal Security with the right to live without constant fear of a bill we can’t pay. People thrive when they aren’t forced to choose between health and survival. It’s time our policies caught up to that truth.

What do you think?

Should California lead the way in creating true Universal Healthcare?