Osler's Razor

Having navigated the Medicare System with my parents I know what great things it can offer. And I look forward to living another 16 years so I might be able to participate in it as well.

Given that, the one change I would make is REQUIRED electronic medical records for anyone opting in or receiving Medicare, Medicaid, etc... This is because each and every doctor you visit has you fill out the same form with the same info and wants info about what medication you are taking. Aging parents dn't alwasy remember what they are taking or when they had surgery, etc.... It would be a time saver for ALL involved in the process ~ patient and doctor. And if a person has end of life directions those could perhaps be attached as well
 

Git yer government hands off my Social Security and Medicare!
 

We will eventually have a single payer system in this country. We cannot afford the luxury to do otherwise. For years the arguments has been not wether to have the single payer system , but when... at least among those without a vested interest. The single payer could be a private insurer or, as you suggest a national government insurance plan. The plan must be understood to be an insurance plan and not be labeled an entitlement.
There will continue to be strong resistance from the insurance industry and their allies to any change. With single payer, a lot of jobs will become unnecessary, and be lost in the insurance industry and doctor's offices The result , however, will be better medicine and controlled costs.

There is a fat change that a rational discussion of your idea will be be heard in today's political discourse. Of necessity, eventually, politics and industry will step aside and allow medical providers and patient's advocates lead us to a goal of providing the best care that is within our budget. I believe we will join many other countries and provide our citizens assured affordable health care.
 

A single payer insurance plan is inevitable. For many years, among those without vested interests the question has been, not if but when? Our nation cannot afford the luxury of our current system. A single payer system could be private or public, state or national. You have suggested a logical and efficient plan that doesn't create a new bureaucracy . No one wants either government nor industry to make medical decisions for us, but we need the best insurance plan that will work in our interests and within our budget. We have to remember that we are talking about insurance, not entitlements.
Resistance to any change will come from those industries and their allies that will be affected. A single payer system will eliminate unnecessary jobs that now exist in the insurance industry, in hospitals, and doctor's offices at a time of high unemployment.
There is a fat chance that a rational conversation will be heard in today's political climate which would lead us, soon, to change.
Eventually, out of necessity, politics and industry voices will give way to those interested in providing good medical care and protecting patient's pocketbooks. At that time we will join other nations in providing our citizens with assured affordable health care. Hopefully this will include streamlining our wasteful and intrusive system of insurance.