Good one. My father is already worried that his main doctor will quit and that it will be difficult to find another.
The answer should be adaptable to the listener. Premiums and taxes up immediately, “benefits” on delayed timetable; taxes on what doctors use to treat us, larger doctor bills; cuts in government payments to doctors, fewer doctors but many, many more patients.
And I don’t think people will stop going to the ER because they can’t get an appointment for a minor problem. We could stay where we’re at and probably save money in comparison!
Last week, I believe it was Robert Samuelson, who wrote that 83% of emergency room use is by people who currently have health insurance. So the savings from insuring more people is a myth. In reality, more people insured will translate into more emergency room use.