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Optimist EconomyOptimist Economy Author: Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
Optimist Economy is the anti-doomscroll economics podcast. Work rules, tax fairness, healthcare, housing costs, retirement security the economic forces shaping American life have real problems. But also real solutions. Each week, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi break down one problem and solution with data, history, humor, and a belief that tools to build a better economy exist. We just haven't tried them. New episodes on Tuesdays. Support the podcast at: optimisteconomy.com Ask questions or share your economic worries with us at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Language: en Genres: Government Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The Government is Already Paying for Your Health Insurance, Buddy
Episode 27
Tuesday, 28 July, 2026
About 18% of U.S. GDP every year gets spent on health care. Half of that, 9%, is coming from the government, which is about the whole cost of other countries’ public health programs. In other words, for what the U.S. spends on Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA benefits, and the tax write-off for employer-sponsored plans, we could have free basic health insurance for everyone. This is why the co-authors of the 2023 book “We’ve Got You Covered” describe the current health insurance system as a total tear-down. We could have universal insurance coverage for all with no tax hike if we started building from the ground up.Chapters:0:00 Announcements 0:58 Retcon — Costco cashier's $33/hr job and career security2:49 Terms & Conditions — Political economy, Cost Sharing, Gatekeeping7:45 The Big Pilcrow: “Americare… Just Enough” 8:08 Healthcare vs. health insurance — why this is really an insurance/payer fight12:53 We have 5+ public health programs already17:07 Health economist Amy Finkelstein's research: "It's a tear-down, not a fixer-upper"19:55 The proposed system — universal basic coverage + letting “rich people rich" without letting them opt out28:11What Americans would love or hate40:44 This health world changed a lot since Obamacare43:20 Executive Orders — Airport boarding pass warnings, living-roof bus stops45:20 Spiritual Sponsors — Resurrection fern, Aunt Fern46:42 Credits Donate to Optimist Economy: https://optimisteconomy.com Video-curious? Watch the Optimist Economy YouTube channel. We’re also on Instagram at @optimist_economy or TikTok at @optimist_economy. Chat with other Optimists on Substack. Find utility with our merch: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy Got economic questions, concerns, or executive orders? Send them to optimist.economy@gmail.com
