Senator Sanders Introduces Bold Bill to Address Healthcare Needs During Pandemic

Mayo 23, 2020

From our friends at the Labor Campaign for Single Payer:

On May 15, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Karen Bass introduced the Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act. It would have Medicare pay for all necessary medical expenses for all uninsured Americans, including those tens of millions of unemployed workers who have lost their employment-based health insurance. Medicare would also pay for all out-of-pocket expenses for those currently covered by private insurance or any public insurance plan (including traditional Medicare).

All Americans would have access to comprehensive healthcare without any financial barriers to care until a COVID 19 vaccine is widely available.

The Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act would also place a moratorium on medical debt collection and surprise billing and require private insurers to maintain their levels of coverage and reimbursement for the duration of the crisis. It would authorize Medicare to purchase all drugs and medical equipment at the rates negotiated by the Veterans Administration.

Big Problems Demand Bold Solutions

This is exactly the kind of assistance that the American people need in the face of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. It would provide healthcare security to the American people, put money in everyone's pocket, stimulate the economy and ensure that hard-pressed healthcare providers get paid for their essential services.

The Labor Campaign has wholeheartedly endorsed this Bill and we urge you to call your Senators and Congressional Representative today and ask them to cosponsor and support this legislation. Please call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator or Representative. You can look up the name of your Representative by clicking here.