The Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear that the health of individuals is connected to the health of everyone in their community, and that connecting health insurance to employment is not effective, especially when tens of millions are losing their job. Dr. Philip Verhoef, an ICU doctor in Hawaii, describes, in this short video, why we need improved Medicare for all.
We should Have already had improved Medicare for All (see also this video). The next best thing is an emergency bill that would ensure every U.S. resident has no financial barriers to healthcare during this pandemic. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Bernie Sanders have proposed the Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act (HCEGA) for this purpose. At this time, pushing congress to pass this bill is perhaps the most important task for single payer activists. See how you can help here.
Why is the Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act the best emergency response?
Briefly, the HCEGA would remove all financial barriers to health care for all U.S. residents. It would implement Medicare as wrap around coverage for those who would otherwise pay for health care. Those with continuing public or private insurance would have Medicare as secondary coverage, and it would pay all deductibles, copays, and co-insurance. Those without health insurance, including those who have recently lost their insurance and those who have not had insurance, would be covered by Medicare.
For more information, see recent press releases or articles about HCEGA from -