Local Health Care Providers Join Sen. Merkley in Pushing for Medicare Option for All
"Every American deserves access to a popular, affordable, high-quality health care option," Merkley said. "Fortunately, we already have exactly such an option - it's called Medicare. The Choose Medicare Act creates a Medicare option for all, putting consumers and businesses in the driver's seat on the pathway to universal health care. As Oregonians face the prospect of
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"Amidst the currently daunting climate of health insurance and healthcare, it is imperative that we evaluate every possible option that can serve as a stepping stone for making healthcare more affordable and, subsequently, more accessible for every member of our communities," said
"Our community deserves the absolute best, most affordable care possible and we simply can't achieve that dream without addressing fundamental issues about health insurance coverage," said La Clinica CEO
Medicare is consistently rated the most popular and efficient health insurance system in
The new plan, Medicare Part E, would be self-sustaining and fully paid for by premiums. Medicare Part E would be offered on all state and federal exchanges, and people could use the existing Affordable Care Act subsidies to help pay for it. Additionally, employers could choose to select Medicare Part E rather than private insurance to provide affordable and reliable health care for their employees. The full bill text is available here and a summary of the bill is available here.
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Opening Medicare to employers and insurance exchanges would provide a public alternative that would create competition and lower rates for quality coverage. The Choose Medicare Act:
Increases Access, Competition, and Choice
- Opens Medicare to employers of all sizes and allows them to purchase high quality, affordable health care for their employees without requiring replacement of employment-based health insurance.
- Addresses the discrepancy between consumer protections in the individual and group markets by extending the Affordable Care Act's rating requirements to all markets, to end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions once and for all.
Provides Comprehensive Coverage
- Covers essential health benefits and all items and services covered by Medicare.
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- Ensures coverage for all reproductive services.
Improves affordability
- Establishes an out-out-pocket maximum in traditional Medicare.
- Increases the generosity of premium tax credits and extends eligibility to middle-income earners.
- Allows Medicare to negotiate fair prices for prescription drugs.
- Drives down private insurance premiums with competition from Medicare.
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