Partnership Statement On Reintroduction Of Medicare For All

WASHINGTON – The Partnership for America’s Health Care Future issued the following statement today as members of Congress reintroduced legislation to create a one-size-fits-all new government health insurance system known as Medicare for All.

“Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality health coverage and care, but creating a one-size-fits-all government health insurance system like Medicare for All will never allow us to achieve that goal,” Lauren Crawford Shaver, the Partnership’s executive director, said.  “Rather than making quality care more affordable and accessible, research shows that Medicare for All would force Americans to pay more to wait longer for worse care.  Instead of creating an unaffordable new system controlled by politicians, policymakers should build on and improve what is working in health care, where private coverage, Medicare and Medicaid work together to expand access to affordable, quality health coverage and care.”

Medicare For All Would Require Tax Increases On Americans And Would Increase Health Care Expenditures For The U.S. Federal Government.  

• Under Medicare For All, “Federal Spending On Health Care Would Increase By Roughly $34 Trillion.” (MJ Lee & Tami Luhby, “Day After Debate, Elizabeth Warren’s Campaign Says It’s Reviewing ‘Other Revenue Options’ For Medicare For All,” CNN, 10/16/20)

• CRFB Chairman: “No Matter How You Cut The Numbers, There Is Absolutely No Way To Pay For Medicare For All Without Tax Increases – Or Spending Cuts – On The Middle Class.” (Dan Diamond, “The Hard Choices Facing ‘Medicare For All,’” POLITICO, 10/29/19)

• 71 Percent Of All U.S. Household With Private Insurance Today, Would Pay More Under Medicare For All. (Stephanie Armour, “Medicare For All Loses Support Amid Lack Of Detail On Costs To Voters,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/17/19)

Medicare For All Would Limit Access To High-Quality Care – Hurting Communities Who Need It Most.

• Issue Brief: Medicare For All “Could Have A Significant Negative Impact On The Adequacy Of The Country’s Health Care Workforce, Access To Care, And, Ultimately, Patient Outcomes.” (“Medicare For All And The Future Of America’s Health Care Workforce,” FTI Consulting, 1/13/20)

• The Reduction Of Physicians “Would Be Felt Most Acutely In Rural Communities Already Experiencing Access Challenges … Shortages Of Healthcare Workers In Rural Areas Widen Existing Health Disparities And Contribute To Hospital Closures.” (“Medicare For All And The Future Of America’s Health Care Workforce,” FTI Consulting, 1/13/20)

• Kate Baicker, Dean Of The University Of Chicago Harris School Of Public Policy: “I’m not sure that we can lower overall health spending without restricting access to care in ways that people might not like, such as through denying coverage, or even shortages caused by cutting back on reimbursement rates … it’s unrealistic to hope that we can insure more people but spend less on health care overall without substantially cutting back on payments or restricting services, both of which would restrict access to care for the insured.” (Jason Millman, “Would ‘Medicare For All’ Really Save Money?,” POLITICO, 11/25/19)

• Forcing Providers To Lower The Cost Of Care Could Lower Americans’ Access To Care And The Quality Of Care They Receive. (“Key Design Components And Considerations For Establishing A Single-Payer Health Care System,” Congressional Budget Office, 5/1/19)