LEGISLATION

  • The Medicare for All Act of 2023 was introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). The bill currently has 112 co-sponsors.

    • Offers comprehensive benefits including vision, dental, and long-term-care services with no cost-sharing. People could buy supplemental insurance to cover benefits not included in the program, but insurers cannot sell duplicative benefits.

    • People 55 or older and 18 or younger are immediately covered and everyone else is transitioned into the program within two years.

    • Hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional providers would be allocated funds through the use of global budgets. Institutional health providers’ budgets could not be used for non-patient care including capital projects, profits, marketing, or payment incentives or bonuses. Health providers would have to apply for approval of capital projects, such as purchases of new or replacement technology, which would be funded separately.

    • In addition to ensuring the right to health, Medicare for All is also a job creator. H.R. 3421 includes provisions for job retraining and other assistance for displaced administrative workers who’s old administrative jobs would no longer be needed in the far simpler and cost effective Medicare for All national health care program. In fact, the bill provides financial support for five years for people who lose their jobs because of the new program.

  • The Medicare for All Act of 2023 was introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The bill currently has 14 co-sponsors.

    • There would be no premiums or cost-sharing, except for limited cost-sharing for prescription drugs. People would pay more in taxes but the amount would vary across the income distribution.

    • S. 1655 calls for a four-year transition starting with those ages 55 to 64.

    • Hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional providers would be allocated funds through the use of global budgets.

    • Establishes a national fee-for-service schedule for individual and group providers, similar to language in the House bill.

    • Provides transportation for seniors with functional limitations, and expands mental health care by covering licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed mental health counselor services. 

    • Establishes an Office of Health Equity to monitor and eliminate health disparities, and promote primary care.

    Note: The Veterans Administration health program and the Indian Health Service are maintained under both proposals.

    Use this interactive tool from the Commonwealth Fund to compare the various Medicare-for-All bills.