Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today introduced the Medicare for All Act, legislation that would establish a national health insurance program to provide universal coverage to U.S. residents. Among other provisions, the bill would make it unlawful for a private health insurer or employer to provide the same health insurance benefits as the new program. It also includes payments to hospitals on a global budget. The legislation does not include a cost estimate.
 
"America's hospitals and health systems are working with policymakers to help expand coverage and improve affordability for all Americans," said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. "However, we are opposed to 'Medicare for All,' as it would impede our shared goals."
 
Specifically, AHA cited concerns that the proposal would disrupt coverage for the more than 180 million Americans with employer-sponsored health plans, hinder delivery system reforms and threaten access to care, noting that Congress has a history of slashing provider payments for government health programs and that Medicare and Medicaid reimburse providers less than the cost of delivering care.
 
"The AHA believes there is a better alternative to help all Americans access health coverage – one built on fixing our existing system rather than ripping it apart and starting from scratch," Nickels said. "In addition to expanding Medicaid in the remaining non-expansion states, we support strengthening the marketplaces to improve their stability and affordability, and increasing enrollment efforts to connect people to coverage."

Related News Articles

Headline
The American Society for Health Care Engineering July 28 announced the recipients of its annual member awards during the 2025 Health Care Facilities Innovation…
Chairperson's File
Public
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue…
Headline
The House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Health and Oversight held a joint hearing today to discuss lessons learned, challenges and opportunities to improve…
Headline
The AHA today expressed support for the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, a bill that would eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient…
Headline
The AHA July 8 wrote in opposition to the “Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act” (H.R. 4002), which would repeal current law banning the creation…
Headline
The AHA July 3 released the Health Care Plan Accountability Update for the second quarter of 2025. The update covers the latest developments in Medicare…