WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Americans Urge Elected Officials To Build On What Is Working, Reject One-Size-Fits-All Government Health Insurance Systems
WASHINGTON – As health care remains at the top of voters’ minds, Americans throughout the nation are encouraging elected officials to oppose a one-size-fits-all government health insurance system that will force American families to pay more for worse care.
… [I]t’s time to tell Congress that the public option and Medicare-For-All policy proposals are not an option for health care. Some estimates project that just paying for the public option could require an increase in payroll taxes of $2,300 per year for the average worker. That is not a cost most families can bear right now, especially if it doesn’t lead to better care. Unfortunately, a public option would undermine the hospitals and emergency rooms serving our communities by slashing payments to doctors and other health care providers. These policies could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, potentially putting them out of business for good. We all want better health care, but government-controlled health care is not the way to get it.
Myele Williamson, Nurse Practitioner, Michigan:
As someone who is committed to ensuring access to rehabilitative services throughout the Detroit metro area, I believe government-controlled health care could have a detrimental impact on access and quality, particularly in urban enclaves here in Michigan and across the country. A public option—and government-run health care in general—would not only increase taxes on hardworking Michiganders, but it could threaten access to care for some of our state’s most at-risk patients. Under this kind of one-size-fits-all approach to health care, hospitals and health care providers would see reimbursements shrink to unsustainable levels.
… Even in economically strong times, many of the hospitals serving our poorest neighborhoods are often doing so with budgets stretched as thin as they can go. But in the midst of a pandemic, when studies show America’s hospitals are on track to lose tens of billions of dollars, it would be foolish to think cutting these payments won’t lead to a reduction of services or complete closure of entire facilities. To keep health care affordable and accessible, lawmakers should strengthen our current system—not try to start over from scratch with one that could compromise health care in the Detroit region and in major cities nationwide.
Democratic State Representative Michael Wray, North Carolina:
… Research finds that proposals for new, government-controlled healthcare systems would have negative impacts on hospital finances and could leave North Carolinians with fewer options for care—or even put access to quality care at risk, particularly for those in underserved or rural communities. I am alarmed by these proposals precisely because I share the aim of ensuring that every North Carolinian has access to affordable healthcare. When economists and other experts warn us that well-intended proposals could have serious, negative consequences for our citizens, we should listen.
Today, private coverage options, such as the plans millions have through their employers, work together with public programs including Medicare and Medicaid to provide Americans with strong coverage options and quality healthcare. By working in good faith across the aisle and bringing the leaders of our healthcare system to the table, we can make coverage and care more affordable and accessible—without risking the progress we have made so far.
Throughout the covid-19 crisis, America’s hospitals have come together with the rest of the health care system — from doctors and nurses to private insurers to government programs like Medicare and Medicaid — to ensure access to affordable care for patients … However, under the public option that many in Washington are still pushing, things could be much worse — especially in rural communities where access to care is already limited … Already, so many of our rural towns and communities are losing hospitals due to closures and consolidations. The last thing we need to be doing is adding fuel to that fire. Even worse, American workers would be funding public option through higher payroll taxes … Let’s focus on improving the health care system we have — not starting over with one that could make things much worse.