CT U.S. Senators Introduce Medicare For All Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal were among a group of 11 Democratic senators that introduced a bill that would allow any person or company to voluntarily enroll in Medicare.

"For those who think that Medicare is the right plan for all Americans, this bill puts that theory to test and allows for consumers and businesses to decide whether they want to remain on private insurance or switch to Medicare," Murphy said. "Our belief is that the Medicare plan will be the most affordable and the most efficient, but we can't know that unless everyone is given the choice to purchase a Medicare plan.”

The new bill would establish Meidcare Part E and be self-sustaining and fully paid for by premiums. It would be offered on all state and federal exchanges and people could use existing Affordable Care Act subsidies to pay for it.

“Every American deserves the promise of access to a popular, affordable, high-quality health care option,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon. “Fortunately, we already have exactly such an option – and it’s called Medicare. The Choose Medicare Act creates a Medicare option for all, putting consumers and businesses in the driver’s seat on the pathway to universal health care.”

Employers would also be able to select Medicare Part E instead of private insurance.

The group of senators contend that the plan would allow Medicare to negotiate fair prices for prescription drugs and drive down private insurance premiums due to competition.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee worked with Murphy's office since summer of 2017 on the bill.

"Our goal is to have every Democrat in America talking about some version of Medicare For All -- be it Medicare For All single-payer or a Medicare Option For All which is what the Choose Medicare Act would create," said PCCC co-founder Adam Green. "We support the Choose Medicare Act because there is no better way to make the case for Medicare for All single-payer than to start with a Medicare Option for All -- giving every American the ability to voluntarily buy insurance through Medicare."

The full bill can be viewed here.

Image via Shutterstock