Bernie Sanders introduces Medicare-for-All bill, visits Canada

Bernie Sanders recently announced his Medicare-for-All bill, a plan for a single-payer government Health Care System that will ensure access to health care for all Americans. He plans to visit every state in the nation to “hear what the people have to say,” according to CNBC.

A Kaiser Health News poll said 53 percent of adults support a single-payer government health care system.

One-third of the respondents identified as Republicans. Currently, 28 million Americans do not have health insurance, and many more are under-insured. High deductibles and co-payments often keep people from getting the care they need.

The Medicare-for-All bill has 16 co-sponsors, many of whom are prospective candidates for 2020. Senator Sanders believes health care is a right, not a privilege, and that all Americans should have access to health care regardless of their income.

What does Medicare-for-All mean for us?

• All Americans will have access to health care regardless of their income.

• Workers will not be forced to choose between bargaining for higher wages or better health insurance.

• The plan will get health care spending under control by eliminating waste and focusing on patients.

• This will provide a system that works for all of us, not just the millionaires and billionaires.

• Americans will not have to fear loss of coverage if they lose their job or change employment.

• Those making $250,000 or more will pay their fair share in taxes.

• A middle class family will save approximately $5000 a year on health care.

• This plan will prioritize the health of working class families over the profits of insurance companies.

• Our health care system will be streamlined to provide the best health care to all Americans.

Senator Sanders travels to Canada to learn about health care

Sanders recently travelled to Canada to visit hospitals and to speak at the University of Toronto.

Many said he is very popular in Canada, and was treated like a rock star during his visit. Senator Sanders toured the neonatal intensive care unit at Sinai Health System, Crossroads Clinic for refugees at Women’s College Hospital, and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at Toronto General Hospital.

Sanders believes Canada’s health system is very innovative, contrary to what he often hears from US critics. Senator Sanders said while touring a Toronto hospital, “We do not in the United States do a good job in looking around the rest of the world and asking the questions that have to be asked.”

Sanders spoke at Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto, an event that sold out in seconds. During the speech Senator Sanders encouraged Canadians to be proud of their accomplishments and more vocal about their successes.

Currently, health care costs twice as much per person in the US than Canada, mostly due to the administrative costs of private insurance.

How will we pay for a single-payer government health care system?

The proposed plan will cost $1.38 trillion per year. Here’s how Senator Sanders plans on paying for it, as stated on his website:

• A 6.2 percent income-based health care premium paid by employers will make $630 billion a year.

• A 2.2 percent income-based premium paid by households will generate $210 billion a year. A family of four taking the standard deduction and making less than $28,800 a year will not have to pay this tax. A family of four taking the standard deduction making $50,000 a year will pay $466. This will be a considerable savings for families when you consider current health care costs, including high deductibles.

• Having progressive income tax rates will make $110 billion a year. For a family making $250,000 to $500,000 annually the income tax rate will be 37 percent. For $500,000 to $2 million the rate is 43 percent. For $2 million to $10 million the rate is 48 percent. Finally, for families making more than $10 million a year, the tax rate is 52 percent.

• Taxing capital gains and dividends the same as income from work will create $92 billion a year. Capital gains and dividends are currently taxed at a lower rate.

• Limiting tax deductions for the rich by replacing the current less effective tax breaks will generate $15 billion a year. You will no longer be able to save more than 28 cents for every dollar in tax deductions.

• Creating a responsible estate tax for those who inherit over $3.5 million will make $21 billion a year. This will have progressive rates and will close loopholes.

• Savings from health tax expenditures will create $310 billion a year. Tax breaks that subsidize health care will disappear because all Americans will now receive their health care though the single-payer government program.

Bernie Sanders explains his plan thoroughly on his website, sanders.senate.gov. You can even download a copy of the Medicare-for-All bill for your own review.