Issue Position: Medicare for All

Issue Position

Our broken healthcare system made this novel coronavirus exceptionally crippling. Now, because our health insurance is tied to our job, over 30 million Americans are facing not only unemployment but losing their health insurance too. As we begin to reopen, we have to ask ourselves what our new normal should look like. If you lose your job, you shouldn't lose your healthcare too. And if you get sick, you shouldn't be put under a mountain of debt. Medicare for All guarantees healthcare to everyone, curbs costs, and improves long-term health.

GUARANTEED HEALTHCARE, NOT TIED TO YOUR JOB

Before the pandemic, over 30 million people in the United States were without health care, with another 75 million classified as underinsured. Now as a result of COVID-19 there are approximately 40 million people who have just lost their jobs, and, along with it, their employer tied healthcare coverage, in the midst of a pandemic. This is why Alexandria is calling to provide Medicare access to those without insurance for the duration of this pandemic.

Medicare for All uncouples healthcare from your job. It allows everyone to receive quality care that is affordable at the hospital, pharmacy or doctor's office. It will cover primary, mental, dental, vision, women's health, and emergency room care in addition to prescription drugs.

CURB COSTS

We pay 70% more in costs because of insurance companies, billing costs, hospital administration, and drug companies.

A national healthcare system has stronger buying power and can negotiate lower prices for drugs and medical equipment as well as curb the astronomically high administrative salaries.

Moreover, this pivot towards a national system unburdens thousands of companies that are saddled with onerous health insurance payments for their employees.

IMPROVE LONG TERM HEALTH

Under Medicare for All, Americans are far more likely to engage in preventative healthcare measures, like annual physicals, or to see the doctor before an illness progresses.

Medicare for All will improve long-term health by reducting underlying health conditions, which are both the main contributors to COVID-19 hospitalizations and more common in lower income communities both urban and rural.

Alexandria is advocating for:

Healthcare as a human right;
Safe and affordable prescription medications; and
H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act

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