WASHINGTON (KDVR) — The latest effort to extend Medicare coverage to all Americans has again won the support of two Colorado legislators.
Democrats Diana Deggett and Joe Negse are listed as co-hosts. House bill introduced WednesdayHe reiterated his support for past efforts.
“We must boldly declare that health care is a human right and fight to make that vision a reality for the American people.” Deggett said this week.
Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingel, along with 112 House co-sponsors, introduced the current bill. Bernie Sanders introduced collateral billsinvolving 14 Senate co-sponsors.
What is covered by Medicare for All
Under the single-payer proposal, Medicare would be extended to everyone in the country, sponsors say. Coverage includes primary care, vision, dentistry, prescription drugs, mental health, substance abuse, long-term services and support, reproductive health care, and ability to negotiate prescription drug prices.
The bill also proposes universal, cost-free long-term care coverage for Americans who are older or have disabilities.
“Furthermore, patients are free to choose the doctors, hospitals and other health care providers they wish to see without worrying whether the provider is in their network or not,” Jayapal’s office said in a release. rice field.
Universal healthcare around the world
dozens of countries around the world Provide national health care. This includes all G7 member countries except the United States.This year’s At the current G7 Summit, “Achieve more resilient, equitable and sustainable universal health coverage.”
The timeline below is not comprehensive, but indicates the start date of universal coverage by country.
A major reason for opposition to single-payment healthcare systems in the United States is cost. Similar proposals at the state level failed. The Republican platform favors a private market approach, Call for repeal of the Medical Expenses Adjustment Law and deregulation for insurance companies and care providers.
Meanwhile, public satisfaction with the U.S. health care system is significantly lower, with less than half of Americans saying they are generally well taken care of, polls show. Associated Press – NORC Public Relations Research Center.
Only 12% say they are handled very or very well. Americans have similar views about health care for the elderly.
The percentage of people who believe health insurance is the government’s responsibility has risen in recent years, up from 57% in 2019 and 62% in 2017.
About 4 in 10 Americans say they support a single-payer health care plan that requires Americans to have health insurance from government plans. Even more (58%) said they would support government health insurance plans that are open to everyone.
Medicaid coverage ends for millions
Medicare for All’s latest attempt comes as millions of people will lose their Medicaid as the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 ends.
Early in the pandemic, the federal government banned states from kicking people out of Medicaid, even if they were no longer eligible. But now, states will be required to start verifying eligibility again over the next year.
About 1.7 million people are enrolled in Colorado’s public health insurance program. According to the state’s Office of Health Policy and Finance.
The state will begin verifying eligibility again in May and said the entire renewal process will take an estimated 12 months.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
