Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) unveiled a bill that would overhaul the U.S. health care system and set up a single-payer national system, setting a standard for the most progressive health plan introduced by a Democrat. The estimates range from $2.6 trillion to $3.4 trillion annually. It would establish a single-payer, government-run health care system that would cover a range of services at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. The measure would not only cover primary and preventive care, as well as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, but also long-term care support services that are not currently covered by Medicare, among other things.

In Favor

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT): "The United States must join the rest of the industrialized world and recognize that health care is a right of all, and not a privilege. Despite the fact that more than 40 million Americans have no health insurance, we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation. We need to establish a Medicare-for-all, single-payer system."

Against

Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR): “Our nation’s health care system is in desperate need of repair. Rather than working to fix a system that a vast majority of Americans like, Democrats are once again proposing fiscally irresponsible policies that will radically alter how hundreds of millions get their health care – outlawing the choice of private insurance, eliminating the programs that seniors and people with disabilities rely on for care, and putting the government between you and your doctor. Don’t be misled by slogans and bumper stickers. This is one-size-fits-all health care with choice for no one. With a growing deficit topping $22 trillion, I look forward to hearing from the members ...about how they plan to pay for a $32 trillion-dollar proposal.”

Should Congress pass a Medicare for All national health insurance program?