Sen. Chris Murphy Promotes “Choose Medicare” Legislation

April 18--U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is proposing legislation that would allow all Americans to buy into Medicare, what he called the "most popular, most cost-effective" insurance plan in the country.

"Virtually everyone who has the chance to get on Medicare enjoys and finds it a very effective way to receive healthcare,'' Murphy said. "Our theory of the case is that everyone in this country should have the ability to buy a Medicare plan. There's really no reason for only people over 65 to have access to Medicare.''

Murphy and his fellow Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon unveiled the plan at a news conference in Washington on Wednesday. The legislation would allow both individuals and businesses to purchase Medicare plans.

The "Choose Medicare Act" is one of several plans put forth in recent weeks by Senate Democrats to overhaul the American healthcare system. Many progressive groups are supporting a "Medicare for All" proposal by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont that would essentially create a single-payer healthcare system and abolish all private insurance.

Merkley backs Sanders' "Medicare for All" plan while Murphy has expressed reservations. Murphy represents Connecticut, a state where the insurance industry remains a powerful force and employees tens of thousands of residents. (Murphy is also among the top 20 recipients of insurance industry contributions in the U.S. Senate this year, according to OpenSecrets.org, which tracks money in politics.)

Murphy presented his proposal as a way to address the problems in the healthcare system without eliminating the insurance industry.

"There are some Democrats that have proposed legislation mandating that all Americans move to a Medicare plan, under the theory that Medicare is the best option available,'' Murphy said. "Our bill essentially puts this theory to the test and lets consumers and businesses decide if Medicare is indeed the best [plan.]"

Both Murphy and Merkley agreed that there is a strong desire among Democrats to address the flaws in the Affordable Care Act and bolster the healthcare system from what they view as attacks from the Trump administration.

"This is clearly a conversation that rose out of the unfinished business of the Affordable Care Act,'' Murphy said. "Democrats have made it very clear that as we try to focus the country's attention on the president's sabotage of the American healthcare system, we also are entertaining a very robust discussion about what to do next.''

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