The Jeopardy quiz show answer is, “Medicare for All.” Medicare for All is truly a pro-life issue. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped many Americans get health insurance. However, it did not resolve the ongoing problem of ensuring that everyone needing medical treatment would receive the care they needed.
Due to Republicans’ attacks on the ACA–and the fact that 18 Republican Governors refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA–there are nearly 30 million of our friends and neighbors who are unable to get the care they need. Many feel that our Country needs a complete overhaul of our health care system.
Here are a number of the complaints I have heard expressed by friends and neighbors who are Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and non-voters. Expensive co-pays and deductibles were keeping some from getting health care. Others objected to “someone sitting behind a desk, who has no idea who I am, refusing my doctor’s request for an MRI.” Some likened high insurance cost to a tax, while others complained of high prescription drug costs.
What they liked about Senate Bill 1804 and House Bill 676 is that both cover everything medically necessary. This includes dental care, eye care, hearing aids, and mental health care. They especially liked the provision covering nursing home care, which a lot of their friends were concerned about.
They did not overlook the cost and financing for Enhanced Medicare for All. Even a conservative think tank opposed to Medicare for All came to the conclusion that it would save the Government money. Sources for funding include
- a slight tax on stock and bond sales
- a modest tax on unearned income (not something hedge fund operators will like)
- an increase in the personal income tax on the top 5% of income earners.
Savings would come from
- vastly reduced paper work
- negotiated drug prices
- the elimination of health insurance profits and advertising cost.
As long as health care is a “commodity,” to be bought and sold, many of our friends and neighbors will be left out. Charity that helps them is no substitute for justice for them.
We need to follow the example of Jesus and provide healing for all our friends and neighbors–by supporting House Bill 676 and Senate Bill1804. Call or write your member of Congress.