Sanders' Single-Payer Plan May Require Tax Increases
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
What’s the story?
On Wednesday Sen. Bernie Sander (I-VT) released his latest version of a universal healthcare bill — the Medicare for All Act of 2017 — with the support of 16 other Senate Democrats. Missing from the legislation was a clear plan on how the expansion of government-run healthcare to all Americans would get paid for, but Sanders’ office did release a list of ideas.
Why does it matter?
According to the Census Bureau, as of July 2016 there were 323,127,513 people in America. Those over 65 years of age, the current enrollment age for Medicare, account for 15.2% of the population, or almost 50 million people. Sanders’ legislation would extend Medicare to the other 274 million Americans, eliminate the need for additional programs, like the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and reduce the amount of money spent on healthcare administrative costs.
Sanders’ reorganizing of America’s healthcare system most likely will not be cheap, and he has not projected a cost for the program. The Congressional Budget Office will do that. But he has called for a "vigorous debate" on how to fund Medicare for All and he’s offered a laundry list of ideas to get the ball rolling.
They fall under four broad categories: tax increases for individual, average Americans; tax increases for employers; tax increases for wealthy Americans: and tax increases for corporations and large financial institutions.
For many conservatives, any tax increases are a non-starter, and even for some who might support single-payer ‘in theory,’ they may balk if tax increases become a reality.
Despite the number of likely Democratic presidential candidates stepping up to support Sanders’ bill, the specifics, especially the cost, are going to be both important and hotly debated. If you want to participate actively in the conversation, either for or against, it’s time to start getting informed.
What do you think?
Are tax increases and entitlements a non-starter for you in discussing healthcare? Do you like the idea of single-payer, but find the idea of tax increases problematic? Do you support single-payer and the related tax increases? Do you have ideas to pay for the program that Sanders didn’t propose?
Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!
— Asha Sanaker
(Photo Credit: BlueDiamondGallery / Creative Commons)
RELATED READING
Here's What's In Bernie Sanders' 'Medicare For All' Bill — NPR
Single-payer health care failed miserably in Colorado last year. Here’s why. — Vox
Analysis of the Sanders Single-Payer Offsets (2016) — Committee For a Responsible Federal Budget
The Sanders Single-Payer Health Care Plan: The Effect on National Health Expenditures and Federal and Private Spending(2016) — Urban Institute
Study: Bernie Sanders's single-payer plan is almost twice as expensive as he says(2016) — Vox
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