House, Senate bills would expand Medicare to more Americans

Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., this week introduced the Medicare for America Act, legislation that would create a national health insurance program for most Americans. Those who are currently uninsured or have coverage through the individual market, Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program would be automatically enrolled into the new program. Large employers could choose to offer comparable coverage, or enroll their employees in the new program and contribute 8 percent of annual payroll to the Medicare Trust Fund. Payment for health care services would be based on current Medicare and Medicaid rates. Also this week, Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced the Choose Medicare Act, legislation that would allow Americans to buy Medicare coverage on the state and federal exchanges, and employers to cover their employees through a Medicare plan.