Creating a government-run, Medicare-like option on the individual health insurance exchanges could negatively affect patient access to care and reduce hospital payments by nearly $800 billion over 10 years, according to a study by KNG Health Consulting released today by the AHA and Federation of American Hospitals. The proposal also would result in only a modest drop in the number of uninsured Americans compared to the number who would gain coverage by improving on the existing coverage framework, and be disruptive to both the individual non-group and employer-sponsored health insurance markets, the analysis of the Medicare-X Choice Act found.
 
“It is not practical to disrupt coverage provided through employer-sponsored plans that already cover more than 150 million Americans,” said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. “America’s hospitals and health systems remain committed to working together with policymakers to help expand coverage and reduce costs for all Americans. However, a ‘Medicare for All’ approach would impede, not advance, our shared goals.”

Related News Articles

Headline
The AHA’s Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development Aug. 21 announced Donna Teach, chief marketing and communications officer for Nationwide…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 21 announced the creation of a Healthcare Advisory…
Headline
A JAMA study published Aug. 18 found that plan design changes by Medicare Part D insurers, particularly for Medicare Advantage plans, following passage of the…
Headline
The American Organization for Nursing Leadership Aug, 15 announced that Stuart Downs, DNP, R.N., was elected as the 2026 president-elect of the AONL Board of…
Perspective
Public
The job description for the ideal health care leader in coming years might read something like this:Wanted: Bold, compassionate innovator who unites clinical…
Headline
The AHA’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship July 29 announced its 36 fellows for the class of 2026, who will each work with mentors to address a specific…