Rising Support for Medicare for All Amidst Crisis in U.S. Healthcare System
TL/DR –
The Republican-led Congress and President Donald Trump have slashed more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and Medicare, the most significant cuts to healthcare programs in U.S. history. These cuts, scheduled to take effect after the November midterm elections, have already accelerated hospital closures in impoverished and rural areas of the U.S. In response to this healthcare crisis, Physicians for a National Health Program and other organizations have urged leaders and grassroots organizers to back Medicare for All, a single-payer system funded by taxes that would provide universal coverage for all U.S. residents, replacing private insurance and eliminating out-of-pocket costs.
US Federal Budget Trims Healthcare Programs
Congress, under Republican control, passed a federal budget a year ago signed into law by Donald Trump that cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and Medicare over the next decade. These substantial cuts, the largest to healthcare programs in U.S. history, won’t take effect until after the upcoming midterm election. However, they have already triggered hospital closures in rural and impoverished areas across America.
Increasing Healthcare Costs Cause Concern
With the GOP-controlled Congress’s refusal to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies last year, average ACA monthly premiums jumped by 58 percent to over 114 percent. This sharp increase forced approximately 3 million people to drop their health insurance coverage. Recent surveys show that a significant majority of Americans are discontent with the U.S. healthcare system and deeply worried about escalating costs.
Physicians Advocate for a National Health Program
In June, Physicians for a National Health Program joined a broad coalition of public policy groups and unions, urging policymakers, labor leaders, and grassroots organizers to support Medicare for All legislation. The Medicare for All approach would set up a tax-funded, single-payer healthcare system ensuring universal coverage for all U.S. residents, replacing private insurance, and eliminating out-of-pocket costs.
What Does Medicare for All Entail?
According to Dr. Diljeet Singh, president of Physicians for a National Health Program, the new system would guarantee healthcare access for all, devoid of copays, deductibles, and medical debt. It would also cover all approved medications for treatments. The system would be similar to Medicare, but with immediate access given at birth. The primary concern, however, is funding this universal system. Despite the U.S. spending twice as much per person compared to other countries with universal healthcare systems, it still doesn’t provide coverage for all.
Overcoming Barriers to Universal Healthcare
Dr. Singh addresses the concern for funding by highlighting that around 30 to 45 cents of every healthcare dollar is wasted on non-healthcare related expenses such as profits for middlemen and insurance companies. By eliminating this waste, research from nonpartisan organizations like the Congressional Budget Office indicates that the U.S. could cover everyone and provide vision, dental, and mental healthcare within the current healthcare expenditure.
Heightened Support for Medicare for All
Dr. Singh notices a surge of support for Medicare for All from both physicians and patients. People are increasingly frustrated with the high costs of healthcare and the difficulty in accessing quality healthcare. This has resulted in a heightened understanding and pushback against healthcare debts and a growing realization that the U.S. healthcare system lacks what the rest of the world has.
For more information about the National Health Program, visit the website www.pnhp.org.
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