Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.
The bill, unveiled by Democrat Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the U.S. healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank.
It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote.
"Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market."
Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care.
It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.
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[Reality link: "Medicare for all" plan would cost $32.6 Trillion ]
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Remember the study founded by the Koch brothers that proved socialized healthcare would save the country billions? Probably not.
ReplyDeleteBad Idea everybody's healthcare will then be worse. Why do you think people with national healthcare come to the U.S. to be treated. Because a lot of them would be dead if they waited to see a doctor under their national healthcare. There they have to wait months to see someone. Terrible idea. I for one like to call my Doctor and they say we can fit you in this afternoon. I don't want to wait six months I will either be better or dead.
ReplyDeleteNot only is this a bad idea because your health care would be worse. But how do they intend to pay for it at 32 and a half trillion dollars.
ReplyDeleteExactly 10:48. Years ago someone I know a radiologist went up to the US side of the Canadian border and opened a practice. While I don't know how much they make he and his wife's foundation donates 4 5 6 million at a pop to different causes. A few years ago they rebuilt the local animal shelter to the tune of 4 million. In a few short years their foundation they founded was worth 40 million and they do no fundraising all their own money. I peek in on it at Guidestar. Their patients are almost all Canadians.
ReplyDeletePlease people take note. If the DA democrats get both houses evera gain they will finish off medicare. OMG - they are truly a bunch of idiots.
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