House holds hearing on CBO report on single-payer health system

The House Budget Committee today held a hearing on the Congressional Budget Office’s recent report on key design components and considerations for policymakers interested in establishing a single-payer system. The report, which did not analyze the budgetary effects of any specific bill or proposal, found that establishing a single-payer system would be a major undertaking that would involve substantial changes in the sources and extent of coverage, provider payment rates, and financing methods of health care in the United States.
 
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, have each introduced legislation called Medicare for All that would establish a national health insurance program to provide universal coverage to U.S. residents. Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., also have introduced legislation called Medicare for America that would create a national health insurance program for most Americans. Among others, Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have introduced 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.
 
In comments submitted for the hearing, AHA said, “America’s hospitals and health systems are committed to the goal of affordable, comprehensive health insurance for every American. However, ‘Medicare for All’ is not the solution. Instead, we should build upon and improve our existing system to increase access to coverage and comprehensive health benefits.”