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[–]colako🌱 New Contributor 603 points604 points  (43 children)

I liked how he argued when people complain of long waiting times in countries with M4A, addressing how Americans already delay or directly avoid procedures because of cost. That’s a main line against M4A skepticals.

[–]TheFalconKidMI 28 points29 points  (0 children)

He did a pretty great job explaining the main calls against m4a pretty well. Bernie should honestly being saying every day how we have less choice right now when we get insurance through our jobs.

[–]that_snarky_one🌱 New Contributor 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I was thinking about this when I was in the ER last week, drip in my arm and having my call button ignored for an hour.

[–]ModerateReasonablist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is also a wait for Americans.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not only that, but when you do make an appointment to see a doctor, you may have to wait months for a specialist. It is a line, you just don't have to stand in it.

[–]GameBoy09🌱 New Contributor | Iowa 365 points366 points  (18 children)

Oh fuck this is amazing. I love John Oliver, but I believe this is the first time he is advocated for a Bernie Sanders policy so bluntly.

I actually think this video alone will have a significant positive effect on the campaign, especially when he calls out Pete Buttigieg specifically on his half baked alternative.

Share this video guys, this might be the best succinct argument for M4A that has been made.

[–]EdrilCA 🐦 261 points262 points  (3 children)

Calling Pete's plan a shit sandwich with guac made my day.

[–]oievp0WCP 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Spread the word!

The #1 issue for democratic voters is Heathcare, and the more the corporatist are exposed on this the better.

[–]Seemseasy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was eating lunch when the graphic came up. It was a decidedly different experience for me.

[–]SM_jointaccount 48 points49 points  (7 children)

Did he mention it was Bernie's?

[–]GameBoy09🌱 New Contributor | Iowa 88 points89 points  (2 children)

He said "M4A plan" suggested by Bernie and Warren. M4A is a plan written by Bernie.

[–]galion1MA 113 points114 points  (1 child)

While going over coverage though he specifically said "Bernie's plan" multiple times without mentioning Warren. He kept saying "Bernie's plan is very generous" in various ways in terms of converting everything.

[–]Rogue_Ref_NZ🌱 New Contributor 44 points45 points  (0 children)

He wrote the damn bill!

[–]Thank_The_KnifeWashington - 2016 Veteran - Day 1 Donor 🐦 👕 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yeah. He said Bernie and Warren.

[–]UnionsAreGoodOK 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yes, quite a bit, with some nods to Warren as well (honestly also reasonable, even if you prefer bernie, she isn't peddling public option BS like Pete)

[–]MustardLordOfDeath 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He mentioned Warren but the focus was on Bernie throughout the video.

[–]TheFalconKidMI 14 points15 points  (0 children)

He kinda argued for the green new deal but it was mostly explaining and dispelling all the bs talking point Fox news made the week it came out.

[–]SC0RCHER55NJ 6 points7 points  (3 children)

He was pro green new deal as well

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Is there a video of that?

[–]RubenMuro007CA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, look up “John Oliver Green New Deal” it has a surprise in the end.

[–]throwaway342342221 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A great start to what I hope will be a great season! Yes this needs to be shared!!

[–]Zequor 213 points214 points  (11 children)

This is so refreshing

[–]sedatedlife 371 points372 points  (10 children)

Something is wrong when you can get more information on what medicare for all entails from a late night talk show then you can from the news.

[–]919471 147 points148 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure healthcare advertising is a significant source of revenue for many networks. Also, a lot of those talking heads are from an economic class that doesn't have to worry about healthcare costs.

[–]fbwalrusCA 167 points168 points  (7 children)

To be fair though, John Oliver has covered a lot of topics in much more detail and clarity than the news ever has/can, and typically much more entertaining.

The episode on Gerrymandering should be required viewing for anyone who still thinks Republicans win with fair elections.

[–]NihiloZero 37 points38 points  (6 children)

The only think I recall really disliking was his report on Maduro/Venezuela.

[–]jogo84 38 points39 points  (5 children)

All of his non-US coverage has been largely terrible. The Venezuela episode was embarassing, in his coverage of Mexico's election he compared AMLO to Mexico's Trump, he propped up Macron, and so on. I stopped watching until I saw this one was about M4A--I don't think he's paid any attention to Sanders until now.

[–]PortlandoCalrissian 27 points28 points  (2 children)

To be fair it was going to be Macron Vs Le Pen at that point, and despite how you feel about Macron he is leagues better than Le Pen would have been.

[–]berni4pope🌱 New Contributor 13 points14 points  (1 child)

despite how you feel about Macron he is leagues better than Le Pen would have been.

This argument sounds eerily familiar.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The same argument that appears in every instance of party politics ever?

[–]Driver3North Carolina 13 points14 points  (0 children)

What about his piece on Venezuela was bad? Is Maduro not objectively terrible?

When it came to the Mexican elections episode, his comparison wasn't that AMLO and Trump were the same, but that both never gave clear messaging on what they are for, and they were both populist figures that were very popular; that was it.

As far as the French elections episode went, he did not "prop up Macron", he said he was a far better choice than La Pen, which Macron absolutely was and is, and that France had a chance to avoid making a populist decision that would hurt them.

I have to wonder, do some people here actually pay attention to what is said on his show?

[–][deleted] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

We don't have any sort of broadcast news in this country. We have different flavors of propaganda.

[–]EdrilCA 🐦 49 points50 points  (1 child)

Thanks for the guac Pete!

[–]sycamore_under_scoreWA 🎖️🕊️🐦💀💪🦃🐬🐴😎☑️💣🌲✋🐒🙌 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Haha I loved that shade thrown at Pete. Shit sandwich with guac for all who want it!

[–]biboche10🌱 New Contributor 43 points44 points  (1 child)

That black lady that talked about her diabetes but she had to choose over her heart to remain at 30% to keep alive made me really sad ..

[–]Creativechannah 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Being a Type 1 diabetic, you have no idea how scary it can be to run OUT of insulin without prescription benefits or enough benefits to make it affordable. I lived in Brooklyn and lost coverage, having to deal with the free system there. I had to be THANKFUL for the ability to get insulin in the richest nation on Earth! It took me all day to get it via waiting around! Imagine how hard this is for a poor person to do with an average low income job; no paid leave, no nice boss is going to be okay when a poor minimum wage worker needs off.

[–]fgsIVNY 🐦 86 points87 points  (5 children)

This needs to be shared everywhere

[–]BoogsterSU2Arizona[S] 57 points58 points  (1 child)

I also shared it to /r/television (like I always do every Sunday at exactly 11:30pm PST after a new LWT episode) and to /r/lastweektonight.

[–]Kingofawesomenes 64 points65 points  (9 children)

This should be shared everywhere, send it to people who dont know much about medicare 4 all. John Oliver kills it everytime, even with difficult and controversial topics

[–]dtracers 21 points22 points  (8 children)

I wish he had more concrete numbers listed. But overall good explanation

[–]919471 30 points31 points  (7 children)

Well, he lays out pretty early in the video that for such a major infrastructure/policy overhaul, getting definite numbers is nigh impossible. The main point is that even if it costs more (which it isn't clear that it will), the system would undoubtedly be much better for society.

[–]littlebobbytables9TX 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The high estimates are also pretty bullshit. Urban estimates administrative costs at 6% because that's the overall Medicare average, but that average includes privately run medicare advantage plans, and when you remove them costs are under 2%.

[–]DIRTY_KUMQUAT_NIPPLE 1 point2 points  (4 children)

To expand on what you said, we are estimated to spend $50 trillion in the next 10 years on our current system, and Medicare for all has been estimated to cost anywhere from $32-$40 trillion over 10 years. If this is true we would save trillions of dollars each year on healthcare.

Even if it does end up costing more and the estimates are wrong, it would be at the benefit of covering everyone in America, which would mean 30 million plus people now have healthcare when they originally didn't. It would be comprehensive health coverage covering vision, dental and much more. And it would be free at the point of service.

I really don't see how a plan that cuts out the for profit middle man, eliminating billions of dollars in adminstrative costs, and (hopefully) drastically reducing the cost of drugs would end up with a more expensive system. The only way I can see it being more expensive is simply because it covers more people and it covers more things.

There really is not a good argument to be made against Medicare for all. The long term benefits greatly outweigh the costs. Especially if we can effectively transition the current 1.8 million healthcare employees to other jobs.

[–]dtracers 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I more meant mentioning things like what the current system costs. Which is a "known" number

[–]election_info_botOR 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Nevada 2020 Election

Register to Vote

Presidential Caucus Early Voting: February 15, 2020 – February 18, 2020

Presidential Caucus: February 22, 2020

Primary Election: June 9, 2020

General Election: November 3, 2020

[–]TheFalconKidMI 29 points30 points  (1 child)

I swear if the "John Oliver effect" still exists in 2020, he may have just persuaded enough people to the point that this primary might not be as messy as we anticipated, without it looking like a Bernie Sanders ad. Everyone should be sharing this piece because it's showing someone who is clearly informed on the subject matter and reporting it. Oliver or someone else who has actually done the research on m4a should be the only people in the media questioning candidates about it, not Anderson Cooper. His show has done a great job explaining rumors and dispelling them about a lot of progressive ideas and the line near the end, comparing his experience with the NHS vs American health care, should be the main selling point.

[–]PrayWaits 10 points11 points  (0 children)

TIL the "John Oliver Effect" is a thing.

This is awesome!

[–]Lunarmeric🌱 New Contributor 11 points12 points  (3 children)

It says video unavailable :(

[–]TegridyFarms2020TX 20 points21 points  (2 children)

Here’s a link. All on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/k62pLC3nbX0

[–]Lunarmeric🌱 New Contributor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you!!

[–]pygmy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not the full segment, another link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3mO4NvPrE8

[–]IpokeyoumuchTexas 21 points22 points  (0 children)

This video is well done, John addresses the three most significant and most frequent criticisms of Bernie's M4A plan. Though I would like that he would expand a bit (though on a show like this, I know). For example, the United States is considered by many, if not all, health organizations to be one of the worst or the worst healthcare system among industrialized nations (heck, we are rated under CUBA). I think he should also point out the costs of our current system and how it is eating up 20% of our GDP or the benefits of having people not worried about their medical bills. I am elated to hear that he talked about the differences between M4A vs. public option that Obama proposed back in 2008 and Pete is currently proposing (though I think Pete will slide more to the right) and tearing down the "freedom of choice" people harp on about. I am glad John Oliver is not letting HBO force him to censor this segment.

Though another thing I wish he pointed out and addressed is the concern among doctors and other healthcare professionals having a pay cut (spoiler alert, they most likely will not). John Oliver did talk about a transition plan, but I think that could have been hammered more, but still good on John to say that.

Now if we can convey this to older people, right-leaning Independents, and Republicans effectively somehow.

[–]KrypLithiumGlobal Supporter 7 points8 points  (2 children)

How likely will this get more people into being Bernie Supporters?

[–]frogg101🌱 New Contributor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

John Oliver got me into politics and politics got me into Bernie. So maybe not directly but it’s good political awareness in an indirect way. Just my opinion.

[–]_Cromwell_🌱 New Contributor | NE 🐦❤️ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

62.78%

[–]felix2903 4 points5 points  (1 child)

THIS. the amazing burn of pete's plan is also great.

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Possibly the best one ever. Being a trans woman I have nightmare story after fucking nightmare story about dealing with all aspects of this, and close to a decade after starting transition, I'm still lacking most things. I don't think unless you're an American who isn't a part of the upper classes, you can even fathom what we endure here.

[–]AlmostWrongSometimesAustralia 9 points10 points  (7 children)

The irony of this segment being geo-locked to the USA is not lost on me.

Mirror mirror on the wall...

[–]goran_788Switzerland 8 points9 points  (0 children)

What? I'm in Switzerland and I can watch it just fine from the LastWeekTonight youtube channel

[–]Narcotras 5 points6 points  (5 children)

It's not geo locked to the US, you just can't watch it in the UK and australia

[–]RandomJerk2012Medicare For All 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here's my write-up of everything M4A, how to pay for it, its benefits to society, how its better than Public Option etc. I think it will be an important resource in convincing family and friends

https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/comments/eq2c2c/answer_to_the_eternal_question_how_to_fund/

[–]HiopXenophil 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would honestly prefer Cuban Healthcare to the US.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Finally some good coverage.

[–]32no2016 Veteran 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pete Buttigieg: a slightly smaller shit sandwich with guac.

[–]Saibasaurus📌 People First 2 points3 points  (0 children)

John Oliver endorses Bernie Sanders' Medicare For All proposal and walks voters through it. We need to pass this on to undecided voters and those who have concerns about M4A. This could be massive outreach!

[–]Creativechannah 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I waited with notifications on to share it right away to my Democratic Facebook group who aren't all for M4A.

[–]PM_ME_A_PM_PLEASE_PM 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For once, I feel like I wasn't being gas-lit on M4A by a mainstream show!

I did have some criticisms but after watching the whole thing I was so impressed by comparison to other mainstream narratives it's not worth mentioning. Thank you John! I will definitely recommend this to friends.

[–]HolzmindenScherfede 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Please show this to anyone you know! I want everyone in America to see this

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Video is not available

[–]The3rdClegane🇺🇲 👕 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I'm getting 'video unavailable', but not on any of his other vids. Wtf is this cover up??

[–]fourpinz8TX 🐦🌡️🍁🇺🇲🐬🙌 Yaaas Bernie 1 point2 points  (1 child)

He’s being dishonest with the Koch brothers study. It saves $2 Trillion over 10 years. Overall a good video. Medicare For All!!!!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NOT SO FAST. I haven't heard Mr. Oliver address the huge scandal of people being passionate on Twitter when discussing this life-and-death issue.

Therefore, I remain unconvinced.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have John "the ratfaced bastard" Oliver on our side - rejoice everyone!

[–]ImwhatufearMA 🙌 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would be great if he wasn't pretending Warren supports Medicare for all

[–]throwaway342342221 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Share it with EVERYONE!

[–]coalitionofillingBernie Squad - 2016 Veteran - 🗳️🐦❤️🙌 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More people need to see this. Only 100k views so far but it's so on point.

[–]3AmigosNJNJ 🐦🌽👻🥊🦅☎️🍁 Reinvest in Public Education! 🦄🐬🐴🦃🐻🥊🧂 1 point2 points  (0 children)

His segments like this are often and popular posted on r/television. Getting a positive response so far. I advertised this sub in the thread.

https://old.reddit.com/r/television/comments/f556sz/medicare_for_all_last_week_tonight_with_john/

[–]felix2903 1 point2 points  (0 children)

only other things he should've mentioned:

1) bernie's plan of getting it passed through naming & shaming representatives and primary-ing them with *presidential* weight behind the threat is good and should be covered.

2) warren being wishy-washy about this, which i think he doesn't mention because he either wasn't allowed or it would seem too much like a direct endorsement, but it still kinda is lol because everyone knows she's wavered on it.

[–]Zooropa_Station 5 points6 points  (8 children)

Some constructive criticism I have is that he doesn't really explain what happens to the market under Pete's public option (i.e. private insurance captures more profit and dumps all the risky/unhealthy clients on the govt program), and unless I spaced out, he doesn't actually address whether clients can keep or pick their doctors. And it would've also been nice if he explained the tax structure of M4A and how payments work under a progressive tax. Because there are always people who don't understand that concept.

[–]an_aviary_foreverWA Green New Deal 🙌 9 points10 points  (2 children)

I totally agree but I think he was just providing information about what M4A is, how it works (generally), criticisms associated with the program, what our current system is like, etc. I do wish he would’ve gone into more detail about why Pete’s plan is absolute shit and what would happen in the case where we have “Medicare for all who want it”/public option instead of true universal healthcare. He does mention in the “choice” portion of the video that all doctors would be covered under M4A, so I’m sure that means people can go wherever they need and see whichever doctor they’d like. I also think he didn’t go into specifics regarding how we’d fund it because the current candidate plans have different ways of paying for it and it might’ve just been too much to fit into one segment lol. I think it’ll (continue to) be up to Bernie and his surrogates to get the specifics out to the public!

[–]mathiasfriman 6 points7 points  (1 child)

I think "public option = shit sandwich with guac" covers how bad he thinks the public option route is, but yeah, it would have been nice with some specifics.

[–]an_aviary_foreverWA Green New Deal 🙌 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% agree! I just wanted more about why Pete’s plan is such a shit sandwich 😂

[–]_Cromwell_🌱 New Contributor | NE 🐦❤️ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well it's a short format comedy show. No writer could fit everything everybody needs to know about mfa in a segment that length and keep it digestible and funny.

Oliver did an amazing job getting this info out. The blame lies with our actual news shows and channels and journalists who fail each and every day at doing their damn jobs, forcing the damn comedians of our country into the role of informing the citizenry.

[–]redxfive5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We need some quality infographics we can share that explain how this works. And get those shared across social media, especially to the educated democrats skeptical of Bernie's promises being "too unreal".

[–]TheJoker1432 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great episode!

[–]LovePeace87NY 1 point2 points  (0 children)

John is a good man as he is a fellow Liverpool Football Club supporter.

[–]Glowwerms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Boggles my mind how republicans and democrats have demonized Medicare for all as if the current system we have now isn’t the most evil shit, no reason there should be a system that profits off of sick people

[–]lickerishsnaps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How long until #PetesShitSandwich starts trending on Twitter?

[–]BaronVDoomOfLatveria 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's interesting how the US is the only "developed" country that can't afford universal healthcare. Especially given how they can afford their current system, which costs 2.5 times the OECD average per capita. Americans pay more taxes than many western European countries pay in taxes and private costs combined. America's private costs just double this taxation.

But somehow, the US can't afford to actually be a developed country. It's just too expensive for the US...

[–]jollybot 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I just watched this and came here to ask a follow-up question. I know the video says there are a lot of unknown variables so we can't fully estimate the cost. But the video seems to be assuming the best. What is the worst case scenario and what should we expect if that scenario is realized?

Has Sanders' campaign indicated what sources of taxation would pay for this? If it's the middle class getting their taxes increased, is it accurate to assume that the amount of increased taxes would be lower than current deductibles/co-pays?

[–]SybertronUT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really highlights how these lesser healthcare programs still can put these same people in harm's way

[–]fourpinz8TX 🐦🌡️🍁🇺🇲🐬🙌 Yaaas Bernie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He forgot to mention how we would actually earn. Unions could negotiate higher wages now that healthcare won’t be a concern. Small business owners have said the can be competitive in the job market as they can offer more in pay. Higher velocity of money

[–]dcfb2360 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a great video, but I wish he talked more about how specifically M4A works. We all know it’ll get rid of private insurance- a truly evil concept- but how specifically will M4A save the average person money?

[–]eggonion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Video taken down. Typical

[–]jgllghr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just out of curiosity, did he mention anything about what would happen to Physician salaries with M4A? Would they remain similar or would people be expecting physicians to cover the influx the newly insured patients with the same $200k+ loans and less “return on investment.” i.e sacrificing your 20s for future financial success, without said financial success.

[–]Captwizzbang🌱 New Contributor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having studied what happened to Obamacare, that was an attempt at a national health coverage that was lobbied so hard against by the pharma and insurance companies it was sad what was left of that legislation that passed. A single payer healthcare system is necessary. How can we be the richest nation in the world and spend 3x more than other developed countries? Much of the medicines out there we paid to help research and develops. Maybe if we defunded our military a bit and took care of this issue at home we could all have a better life for it. Holding out hope!