{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr676-115/featured_expanded-improved-medicare-for-all-act-1494531901.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr676-115/featured_large_expanded-improved-medicare-for-all-act-1494531901.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr676-115.png"},"introduced_on":"2017-01-24","title_override":"Medicare for All: Should the U.S. Adopt a Single Payer Healthcare System?","summary_override":"

This bill — the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act — would provide individuals residing in the U.S. with healthcare for all “medically necessary care” by increasing or imposing a variety of taxes. Medically necessary care would include primary care, prevention, dietary and nutritional therapies, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care. Patients would choose between participating physicians and institutions for receiving care, and the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be required to create a confidential electronic patient record system.

The program would be funded in the following ways, although specifics about increased or new tax rates aren’t included in the bill:

Existing sources of government revenues for healthcare, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
Increasing personal income taxes on the top five percent of income earners (about $210,000 annually for a household);
Imposing a “modest and progressive” excise tax on payroll and self-employment income;
Imposing a “modest tax” on unearned income (like interest from a savings account, stock dividends, bond interest or alimony);
Imposing a “small tax” on stock and bond transactions.

Only public or nonprofit institutions would be allowed to participate. Health insurers would be prohibited from selling insurance that duplicates the benefits provided under this bill, but could sell benefits that aren’t medically necessary such as cosmetic surgery.

The Indian Health Service would be integrated into the new Medicare program after five years, while Congress would evaluate the continued independence of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs health programs.

The program would also provide employment transition benefits and prioritize the retraining and job placement of individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced clerical and administrative work under this bill.

","official_title":"To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, improved health care delivery, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act\n\nThis bill establishes the Medicare for All Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, dietary and nutritional therapies, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care.\n\nOnly public or nonprofit institutions may participate. Nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities may participate.\n\nPatients may choose from participating physicians and institutions.\n\nHealth insurers may not sell health insurance that duplicates the benefits provided under this bill. Insurers may sell benefits that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits.\n\nThe bill sets forth methods to pay institutional providers and health professionals for services. Financial incentives between HMOs and physicians ba...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"All Americans; physicians and others involved in the healthcare industry; the financial sector; and the federal government.","argument_for":"A single payer healthcare system is the best way to ensure that all Americans have access to the healthcare they need without having to worry about paying for health insurance. 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The Affordable care act is the most conservative healthcare plan that can exist while also ensuring everyone has access to insurance. We've wasted too much time and money paying for private health insurance company profits! Cut out the middle man and go for single payer!!!","argument_against":null,"show_argument_for":true,"show_argument_against":false,"upvote_count":0,"upvotes_for_count":0,"upvotes_against_count":null,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":0,"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/positions/f8d3e6eb-8c2e-4ad4-84b0-a18bf829f46c"},"body":"It's time to quit messing around. The Affordable care act is the most conservative healthcare plan that can exist while also ensuring everyone has access to insurance. We've wasted too much time and money paying for private health insurance company profits! 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Medicare for All: Should the U.S. Adopt a Single Payer Healthcare System?