Sen. Grassley Issue Statement on CBO Report on Medicare for All Plan

WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding the report released by the Congressional Budget Office on Democrats' proposed 'Medicare for All' plan:

"Americans don't support a government-run health care system when they're told about the countless downsides.

"Democrats' plan would eliminate private health insurance companies and would require middle-class Americans to pay much more in taxes. It also threatens the benefits that current Medicare beneficiaries - seniors who have paid into the system their entire working lives - receive.

"Government-run health care is a slogan, not an answer. We need to build and improve on what's working and fix what's broken.

"This report doesn't provide all the details Americans need and that are necessary for a discussion of this magnitude."

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This report was requested by House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth of Kentucky. Its top take-aways include:

* A transition from the current system to single-payer would be complicated, challenging and potentially disruptive;

* Government spending on health care would increase substantially, thereby requiring higher taxes;

* A public plan might not be as quick to meet patients' needs;

* Government would have more control over the health care delivery system; and,

* A reduction in provider payment rates could reduce the quality of care.

Democrats recently released their plan to effectively eliminate private health insurance in favor of a national, single-payer system that would take away personal choice and freedom - further expanding Washington's control over Americans' health care decisions. The Democrat plan would make private and employer-sponsored health coverage illegal, forcing Americans into a one-size-fits-all, government-run health care program.

Under the Democrats' proposed "Medicare for All" plan,

* 181 million American workers would be kicked off their private health insurance that they have today, like, and want to keep;

* Spending would increase by approximately $32 trillion over 10 years placing unprecedented strain on the federal budget and the American taxpayer;

* Taxes on the middle class would have to be raised significantly in order to pay for so much new spending;

* Americans would experience disruptions in the availability and accessibility of health care services; and,

* All Americans, including those with pre-existing, chronic health conditions, would face increased wait times to receive needed medical care.