[bgoggin]

This is not correct. There was no prohibition on private insurance. Rather, all would have been required to participate in the public plan to spread the risk. That's the only way it could work. If someone wanted to also pay for a private plan, that was allowed.

[ameister14]

So that's not true.

They had to prohibit overlapping coverage in order to make sure that all private practice physicians accepted the medicare system, which has lower reimbursement rates than private insurance. You can pay for more coverage, because that doesn't compete with the public system, but you cannot pay for private insurance that may lead to lower access for publicly insured persons.

[bgoggin]

Yes, I did not read closely enough. You referred to new medicare for all plans, while I responded recalling similar false accusations against Obamacare. Some of these new proposals do not allow duplicate plans. Nevertheless, I don't think this particular objection makes them DOA. I believe this is an objection that could be overcome with discussion.

[Aurornis]

No, this is incorrect. Here is the actual section from the bill:

> SEC. 107. PROHIBITION AGAINST DUPLICATING COVERAGE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the effective date described in section 106(a), it shall be unlawful for— (1) a private health insurer to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act; or (2) an employer to provide benefits for an employee, former employee, or the dependents of an employee or former employee that duplicate the benefits provided under this Act.

You could technically also buy extra insurance for… something extra, but your existing insurance plan would have become illegal.

This was a huge sticking point, despite how many people try to deny it or downplay it.

[jrajav]

I'm honestly curious what the real meat of the objections to this were (I never heard much about this sticking point). Why would you want duplicating coverage anyway? Is it not strictly better for any consumer to only be paying for the extra coverage you want on top of the public coverage?