Should the government provide a national healthcare program?
Bill Summary
The Medicare for All Act establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition. The plan would ban cost-sharing like copays or deductibles and require HHS to negotiate drug costs.
Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont)
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Opponents say
• “The best thing to do is build on the Affordable Care Act, address the parts of it that aren’t working," Shaheen said. "I think that’s the fastest way we’re going to expand coverage and we can lower costs at the same time.” Source: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, New Hampshire)
• “This bill is a socialist proposal that threatens freedom of choice and would allow Washington to pose one-size-fits-all plans on the American people.” Source: Rep. Tom Cole (Republican, Oklahoma, District 4)
• “This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care… Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system.” Source: America’s Health Insurance Plans
• “This bill is a socialist proposal that threatens freedom of choice and would allow Washington to pose one-size-fits-all plans on the American people.” Source: Rep. Tom Cole (Republican, Oklahoma, District 4)
• “This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care… Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system.” Source: America’s Health Insurance Plans
Proponents say
• “In my view, the current debate over Medicare for All really has nothing to do with health care. It’s all about greed and profiteering. It is about whether we maintain a dysfunctional system which allows the top five health insurance companies to make over $20 billion in profits last year… The American people are increasingly clear. They want a health care system which guarantees health care to all Americans as a right. They want a healthcare system which will lower healthcare costs and save them money. They want a health care system which will guarantee them freedom of choice as to which doctor or hospital they can go to. They want a health care system which will substantially lower the cost of prescription drugs. They want Medicare for seniors which will finally cover dental care, hearing aids and eyeglasses. In other words, they want Medicare for All, and that’s what we will deliver to them.” Source: Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont)
• “44% of Minnesota’s uninsured are minorities. Our needs as members of marginalized communities should not be invisible. The solution to this problem isn’t to create more means-tested programs. It’s to guarantee healthcare as a human right through #MedicareforAll.” Source: Rep. Ilhan Omar (Democrat, Minnesota, District 5)
‘ • “Their [insurance companies’] goals are not aligned with ours… That’s why we could never get where we wanted to go with universal coverage building it on top of a for-profit industry, because they must maintain corporate profits. They must maintain shareholder value." Source: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat, New York)
• “44% of Minnesota’s uninsured are minorities. Our needs as members of marginalized communities should not be invisible. The solution to this problem isn’t to create more means-tested programs. It’s to guarantee healthcare as a human right through #MedicareforAll.” Source: Rep. Ilhan Omar (Democrat, Minnesota, District 5)
‘ • “Their [insurance companies’] goals are not aligned with ours… That’s why we could never get where we wanted to go with universal coverage building it on top of a for-profit industry, because they must maintain corporate profits. They must maintain shareholder value." Source: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat, New York)
- Sanders, 14 Senators Introduce Medicare for All (Press Release)
- 9 Senate Democrats on whether they’d be willing to get rid of private health insurance (Vox)
- The Basics of ‘Medicare for All’ (New York Times)
- 22 studies agree: 'Medicare for All' saves money (The Hill)
- U.S. House Democrats introduce sweeping 'Medicare for All' bill (Reuters)
