The State-based Universal Health Care Act of 2023
HR 6270 - The State-based Universal Health Care Act, sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna
Summary: This bill establishes the option for states, or groups of states, to apply to waive certain federal health insurance requirements and provide residents with health insurance benefits plans through a state-administered program. Such programs must cover 95% of the residents in the state within five years and plan benefits must be at least as comprehensive and affordable as the coverage under the equivalent federal program.
State programs are supported with funds from the federal programs the state programs replace, which may include Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, certain federal tax credits, and premium-assistance funds, among others.
The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to appoint an Independent Assessment Panel for Comprehensive Care to review and recommend whether to approve state applications. Each approved state program must be independently reviewed every five years to evaluate changes in health benefits access, quality, and coverage, including whether the state has met the 95% coverage requirement.
The federal government must pay all health insurance costs for American Indians and Alaska Natives who enroll in a plan through a state insurance program.
Please call or write your legislators to encourage their support for H.6270 The State-based Universal Health Care Act!
The Medicare for All Act of 2023
On May 17, 2023, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Debbie Dingell, and Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced the Medicare for All Act (H.R. 3421) in the U.S. House. The bill aims to establish a Medicare-for-all national health insurance program that would expand the existing Medicare program to everyone in the United States and allow them to obtain primary, vision, dental, reproductive, and mental healthcare; prescription drugs; substance abuse treatment; and more. The Medicare for All Act of 2023 also includes universal coverage of long-term care with no cost-sharing for older Americans and individuals with disabilities. It prioritizes home and community-based care over institutional care. More than half of the Democratic caucus (112) in the House has signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, including 13 powerful ranking members of congressional committees. The only WA co-sponsor is Adam Smith, CD9. So if you are not in CD9, please call or write your Congressional Representative today to support this important Federal Legislation: H.R. 3421 Medicare for All 2023.
The bill was also introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bernie Sanders (S.1655) and fourteen of his colleagues on May 12, 2023. Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell were not co-sponsors.
Watch the bill introduction: