The American Health Policy Institute examines a vision of health care reform where government plays a leading role in how individuals get health insurance by acting as the “single payer” of health care for all citizens—a notion that is likely to gain momentum as House Democrats hold hearings on the matter and Democratic hopefuls jockey for position ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
The study is the fourth in a series to increase member awareness of the spectrum of potential health care reforms that may be proposed over the next two years—and will help senior HR leaders assess the implications of various types of reform on their future business and talent strategies.
Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) Medicare for All Act would represent the most sweeping reform of the U.S. health care system in history, creating a single government-run program that provides health care coverage to all U.S. residents. It is expected to be reintroduced this Congress.
Private insurance coverage that duplicates government benefits—including employer plans—would not be permitted.
Debate over single-payer will be a top priority in the House of Representatives, governed by a new Democratic majority—78 of whom are members of a Medicare for All caucus. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) plans to put forth her “Medicare for All” bill next week.
The next edition in our series will provide a deep dive look at the “Medicare Extra for All” proposal released by the Center for American Progress in 2018. Stopping short of a full single-payer approach, this proposal envisions preserving the private employer-based system while offering a "public option" by extending access to Medicare to all Americans.
