To understand why we need Medicare-for-All, we must take stock of where we stand. Even with the successes of the ACA, nearly thirty million Americans remain uninsured. This varies significantly by state (as the map below shows), with many Medicaid expansion states having greatly reduced their uninsured rates.

Despite these improvements in coverage, tens of thousands of Americans still die each year because they lack access to quality health care. In addition, over half of uninsured Americans reported difficulty paying medical bills, while one out of five Americans with insurance also reported difficulties paying their bills. Those with difficulty paying medical bills cited the need to make hard choices, as they pitted the need for health care against the need for food, basic items, and preserving any semblance of savings.

The U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other country—even countries with universal coverage— though our system covers far fewer people. This highlights vast inefficiencies. Americans also have worse health outcomes, including lower life-expectancy and higher infant mortality, despite how much more we spend than other rich countries.

Nearly 60 countries have some sort of universal health coverage, though many of these countries are far less wealthy. Even though these countries still make tweaks to their health care systems over time, none of these countries would ever seek to create a system where they would pay more, cover fewer people, and deliver worse health outcomes.

Medicare-for-All is the only way we can cover all Americans and end medical bankruptcy once and for all. If countries with less wealth can make universal coverage work, surely the wealthiest nation in the world can also do so. In fact, we have an example of our ability to do this in our system right now, as we already provide universal coverage for our seniors through Medicare. It is time to take that success and apply it to the rest of the population through a true Medicare-for-All system.

If you are interested in joining the fight for Medicare for all, please check out the Campaign For Guaranteed Healthcare at https://campaignforguaranteedhealthcare.org/ or @Campaign4Health on Twitter. 

Photo courtesy Molly Adams/Flickr/CC By 2.0

Medicare-for-All is having a moment. A single-payer system that would guarantee universal coverage for all Americans has been growing in popularity for years. From media coverage, to activist agitation, to state-based single-payer proposals, Americans are discussing and fighting for Medicare-for-All. Even  President Obama said that a single-payer system would be the best option if given the opportunity to start from scratch, and now as the Affordable Care Act repeal debate winds down, the idea has come back to the fore.

In recent years, a number of states have considered implementing single-payer systems, with some, like California and Vermont, even passing the necessary legislation. The ongoing debate in California on a state single-payer plan has reached a boiling point, with groups on one side lobbying to further the debate and those opposed trying to end the discussion, at least in the short term. If this reform moves ahead in CA it will impact over 12% of the nation’s population.

Single-payer was a significant issue during the 2016 Democratic primary, and was subject to intense (and sometimes misleading) debate. Some studies that came out during the primary tried to undercut genuine discussion about Medicare-for-All with scary sounding estimates, like $32 trillion over ten years, instead of actually exploring the potential costs and savings. In a recent editorial, the Washington Post opinion team chose to double down on this by focusing on a study whose estimates are far higher than most others, and whose assumptions are refuted by entities like the Congressional Budget Office.

As President Trump steps up his sabotage of the ACA, there is increasing uncertainty about the U.S. health care system. And Americans are wondering what should come next. One solution? A health care system where all Americans can access the care they need. Such an idea has inspired Americans policymakers and politicians for generations.

As we approach the anniversary of the passage of Medicare on July 30, we will be continuing to discuss Medicare-for-All with a series of blogs. Join us this Friday for the next in the series.

If you are interested in joining the fight for Medicare for all, please check out the Campaign For Guaranteed Healthcare at https://campaignforguaranteedhealthcare.org/ or @Campaign4Health on Twitter.

Photo courtesy Molly Adams/Flickr/CC By 2.0

Americans are gathering today in Washington D.C. and across the nation to demand Medicare-for-All. From California to Florida and Alaska to Hawaii, folks like you and me are rallying to push for change. With more than 50 rallies and marches across over 20 states, July 24^th will be an important day for grassroots momentum toward a single-payer, Medicare-for-All system.

This movement is truly growing from real people; Bev Cowling, a progressive activist and retired letter career, and Dr. Michael Rushnak, a retired physician, came together after years of activism to plan this week’s Medicare-for-All March. Bev’s passion for making sure that every American has access to health care was sparked by the medical challenges her daughter and son have faced under our fragmented health care system. Michael, a cancer survivor, wants all Americans to be able to have access to great health care, like the kind that saved his life. Both believe that health care is a human right and that Americans must stand up and demand Medicare-for-All.

At its most basic, a single-payer Medicare-for-All system would automatically enroll all Americans at birth. They would be able to access high-quality care with little or no out-of-pocket expenses. Doctors would be able to focus on the well-being of their patients, instead of on corporate bottom lines.

Americans understand that our deeply fragmented system doesn’t serve their best interests and doesn’t put them first, and that’s why the people power around this issue is growing. This extends from the drug companies only searching for ways to increase profit, while ignoring diseases that need cures now, to insurance companies who profit from denying Americans the care they need.

As we approach the anniversary of the passage of Medicare on July 30, we will continue discussing Medicare-for-All and the momentum for it with a series of blogs. Join us this Wednesday for the next in the series.

The time has come for improved Medicare-for-All. We hope you can join us in Washington D.C. or at one of the events around the country. See http://www.millionsmarchingformedicare.org/ for events in your area!

Image courtesy United Workers/Flickr/CC BY 2.0