Subject: Re: The Affordability Tour Kicks Off
I'm not arguing for or against changing to a single payer system. I'm pointing out that the obstacles to making such a switch are not merely what The Powers That Be want, but also (and I think primarily) just basic political reluctance to inflict significant economic damage on large numbers of ordinary voters. I'm diagnosing, not advocating.

I didn't say you were advocating one way or the other for single payer.

There are always private doctors. Just not very many of them.

If you had a single-payer system that was funded through taxes, almost every doctor would be in it.

Depends on what the reimbursement rates are, doesn't it? If the rates are too low...doctors won't work for less than they make now.
And patients who can pay outside the system who don't want government care will head for that option.

"Free to me" will win almost every time, so nearly all the doctors will be in the "free to me" pool.

Again, it depends.