Blagdaross

Matt Yglesias thinks universal healthcare for kids wouldl grow the contituency for more systemic reform in the long term. I’ve thought of a similar idea. Instead of just covering kids, devise a plan where everyone under 25, and everyone over 60 is covered.

The cutoff point shouldn’t be 18, because it will feel less real and painful, because 18-year olds are like that, and a lot of them will be covered by their parents for a while, and also it will be wrapped up with becoming responsible for yourself in general, and not seem unfair.
If it runs out when you’re 25, you’ll be more concerned and aware of it. If you cover some adults the pressure to expand coverage will be stronger.

The fact that it’s more arbitrary will make it harder to get passed, but also make it more likely it will get expanded. (The youngest and oldest workers do need UHC more the most, so it’s not completely arbitrary.) After all, the US already have UHC for seniors, and it hasn’t created much pressure to get everyone UHC. It seems non-arbitrary, and like a different thing even though it’s not, and the same may be true of UHC for kids too.

(Adapted from a comment on Yglesias blog.)