House Holds Hearing on Medicare for All

Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee held a hearing on H.R. 1384, the “Medicare for All Act,” sponsored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington). As the name implies, the legislation would replace the current health care system with a Medicare for All system.

The Big “I” continues to be a strong supporter of employer-sponsored health insurance, which is the most common way Americans receive health insurance. A Medicare for All system would move more than 180 million Americans off their employer-sponsored health care and into a Medicare for All program.

The hearing was significant in that it was the first congressional hearing dedicated to Medicare for All, which has been gaining support among Democrats. Interestingly, the hearing was held in the Rules Committee instead of the Energy and Commerce Committee or the Ways and Means Committee, which traditionally have jurisdiction over health care issues.

The hearing featured witness testimony from a patient advocate, a couple economists and an ER doctor, among others. Throughout the hearing, Democrats on the committee united around the idea of providing universal health care, while Republicans highlighted the significant cost of the program and the potential for Americans to be forced off their employer-sponsored coverage.

Wyatt Stewart is Big “I” senior director of federal government affairs.