The public health insurance option isn’t the great choice you think it is

By: Thomas Lane

Outlets: Minnesota Reformer

Published: September 16, 2026

Words: 870

Last Updated: 2 days, 7 hours ago

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Moderate Democrats have frequently been returning to an old Obamacare debate-era proposal called the public option. They often label it “Medicare for all who want it” in order to piggyback off the better known single-payer proposal.

Those who desire reform but get anxious about a universal and single-payer insurance system dubbed “Medicare for All” understandably appreciate the public option because it seems like a safe compromise. As a health economist, I feel obligated to warn …

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