Medicare-For-All: Americans Will Pay The Price

Statement

The Ways and Means Committee held a hearing today examining the impact of one-size-fits-all, single-payer health care proposals, including Medicare-for-All.

The hearing follows the House Budget Committee's hearing last month with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which reaffirmed the dangers of imposing such a system.

Looking at the leading proposal among Democrats, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) said:

"When you pull the curtain back on Medicare-for-All, the truth is staring at you: many Americans will pay more, wait longer for health care, and get worse care than you receive now."

As Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), who serves on both Committees, recalled today:

"CBO did confirm that socialized medicine leads to rationing, longer wait times, and bureaucrats dictating what procedures are best for you, and when you can have them done."

Lawmakers warned that America's workers, families, and job creators will pay the price for Democrats' Medicare-for-All:

"None of this is free. Your taxes -- and your spouses, and your business -- are doubled to pay for this "free' health care. Doubled." -- Ranking Member Brady
"Medicare-for-All is expected to cost $32 trillion … How are we going to pay for it?" -- Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
"This proposal, Medicare-for-All, [represents] another tax increase of roughly $10,000 per year that each American is going to have to pay. -- Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)