Congressional Budget Office Finds Significant Cost-Savings of Single-Payer

‘Seems Like a Good Policy!’ CBO Shows Medicare for All Could Cover Everyone for $650 Billion Less Per Year | Common Dreams News

Consistent with study after study, the new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) working paper concludes that four different singlepayer models would each yield big savings. Highlights from the article:

“Bruenig explained that the Congressional Budget Office option that most closely resembles current Medicare for All proposals is the one based on low payment rates and low cost sharing, which would generate $650 billion in savings in 2030. “Bruenig further noted that if long-term care was added, the program would still save about $300 billion.

“The barriers to the policy are not technical deficiencies or costs, but rather political opposition from Republicans and conservative Democrats who would rather spend more money to provide less healthcare.” — Matt Bruenig, People’s Policy Project 

Meanwhile, The Industry Opposes Even a Public Option

The Medical-Industrial Establishment Is Gearing Up Against Even a Public Option. Tax records show the health care industry front group run by a former Democratic aide has already amassed millions to block a public health insurance option.

Our Congressional Agenda for 2021

In December, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, co-chaired by our own Rep. Pramila Jayapal, issued “The People’s Agenda: A Progressive Roadmap for Congress in 2021.” We encourage everyone to review these important proposals to address COVID relief, rebuild a climate-friendly economy that works for everyone, ensure health care for all, defend and expand voting rights and democracy, dismantle racism, white supremacy and inequality, end endless wars and corporate greed – and more. 

As the 117th Congress gets underway, we look forward to reintroduction of three of our priority bills:  

1. Expanded and Improved Medicare For All
2. The State Based Universal Health Care Act
3. The Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act

We will track these and other bills among our policy priorities and keep in touch with our WA Congressional delegation as we plan our advocacy campaigns. 

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Universal Health Care Work Group: Pushing for Meaningful Recommendations to the Legislature

Once again, the HCHR-WA Universal Health Care Work Group Planning Subcommittee thanks the more than 50 people who signed up to give public comments at the final Work Group meeting December 9th. Every speaker urged the Work Group to recommend Model A which set the tone of the meeting as we pushed to get Work Group members recommendations on record.

Success!  Work Group members were given the opportunity to rank the three models.  21 of the official roster of 37 Work Group members indicated a preference. (Not “voting” were 6 abstentions and state-agency personnel.)  Of the 21 indicating a preference, 16 (76%) recommended Model A, a publicly-funded and administered universal system covering all Washingtonians. Only 3 (14%) chose Model C (Fill the Gaps/Cascade Care). 2 (10%) did not name a choice. We’re continuing to make sure the final report reflects this majority in favor of Model A.

Work Group members have received a candidate for a Final Report to the Legislature with consolidated Work Group member comments from previous drafts. We would like to see the model-ranking summarized in the Executive Summary and address some statements about feasibility and affordability.

For a summary of the final Dec 9 meeting, check out our founding Sponsor member Health Care for All Washington’s post Universal Health Care Work Group Final Meeting: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Model A.

Watch the full meeting

Listen to breakout session 1

Watch breakout session 2

Watch breakout session 3

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