‘A Dose Of Reality’

House Democrats Are Holding Their First Hearing On Single-Payer ‘Medicare For All’: ‘This Is A Pervasive Policy View’

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “If you’re one of the 180 million Americans who get their insurance through work, and like it, it’s illegal under Medicare for All…. Of course, there will have to be a massive tax increase against everybody else. I don’t want you to think this is just a couple of nut cases running around on the fringe. This is a pervasive policy view on the other side.” (“McConnell Visits Owensboro; Speaks About National, Statewide Political Successes,” The Owensboro [KY] Times, 4/22/2019)

“The House Rules Committee will hold a hearing on ‘Medicare for All’ legislation [Tuesday], a step forward for the legislation that is gaining ground in the progressive wing of the party. The hearing on Tuesday will examine a bill from Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) that has over 100 co-sponsors in the House.” (“House Dems To Hold Hearing On 'Medicare For All' Next Week,” The Hill, 4/23/2019)

• REP. JIM McGOVERN (D-MA), House Rules Committee Chairman, and single-payer health care bill cosponsor: “It's a serious proposal that deserves serious consideration on Capitol Hill …” (“House Dems To Hold Hearing On 'Medicare For All' Next Week,” The Hill, 4/23/2019)

Medicare Will Soon Have Difficulty Covering Its Existing Expenses, But Democrats Are Calling For A Massive Expansion

SEEMA VERMA, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator: “At a time when some are calling for a complete government takeover of the American health care system, the Medicare Trustees have delivered a dose of reality in reminding us that the program’s main trust fund for hospital services can only pay full benefits for seven more years.” (“Medicare Hospital Fund Reserves Likely To Be Exhausted In 2026: U.S. Report,” Reuters, 4/22/2019)

“[M]any Democratic presidential candidates are calling for expanding Medicare benefits rather than addressing the program’s worsening finances.” (“Medicare, Social Security Face Shaky Fiscal Futures,” The Associated Press, 4/22/2019)

“Medicare’s hospital insurance fund is expected to be depleted in 2026 — the same date that was projected a year ago. At that point, doctors, hospitals and nursing homes would not receive their full compensation from the program and patients could face more of the financial burden.” (“Social Security and Medicare Funds Face Insolvency, Report Finds,” The New York Times, 4/22/2019)

• “In 2019, the combined cost of the Social Security and Medicare programs are estimated to equal 8.7% of GDP, before rising to 11.6% by 2035. Most of the increase is attributable to Medicare, the trustees wrote. While annual Medicare costs are now about 76% of the cost of Social Security, the program is expected to eclipse Social Security by 2040 …” (“Social Security Costs to Exceed Income in 2020, Trustees Say,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/22/2019)