Jayapal's Medicare For All Bill Was Born On Seattle's Streets

SEATTLE, WA — On a warm, sunny day last August, organizers with the local Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) were leading a panel discussion about Medicare For All in the basement of the Columbia City library.

It was a serious event. One member of the panel, a physician, reminded that "people are going to die" if the U.S. healthcare system continues as it is.

But it was also an event that's part of a long-term strategy by Seattle DSA organizers (along with 120 other DSA chapters across the U.S.) to pressure lawmakers into supporting M4A.

And the movement scored a victory last week when U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, introduced a comprehensive Medicare-for-all bill in the House. It's not the first M4A bill, but it is the result of a more recent movement tapping into frustration over private health insurance.

On the streets of Seattle, DSA organizers have been door-knocking on M4A since spring 2018.

They canvassed in Wallingford, Jayapal's district, and in south Seattle in U.S. Rep. Adam Smith's district. Smith has joined as a cosponsor of the bill along with dozens more in the House. (No other House Democrats from Washington have signed on, including Issaquah U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, who pushed an in-name-only Medicare for all proposal during her 2018 campaign.)

The recent M4A push can be traced to Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. After failing to win the Democratic nomination, many Sanders supporters flocked to DSA, swelling membership at chapters across the country. The organization held a national convention in Chicago in 2017, and a majority of members voted to make M4A a priority, organizer Dustin Guastella said.

"It kind of took off much faster than we thought it would," Guastella said.

DSA and a host of other progressive groups and labor unions have endorsed Jayapal's bill. It hits all the points DSA has lobbied for: abolishing private insurance for a single healthcare provider; comprehensive coverage for any condition, including dental and vision; no payment at the point of service; coverage for everyone, including immigrants; and a jobs program for workers transitioning out of the healthcare industry.

Lawmakers like Jayapal were targeted by DSA. Organizers knew they would need the support of House members on key committees. Jayapal sits on the powerful House Budget Committee. And U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Detroit, Jayapal's main co-sponsor, sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Jayapal's bill is the first in the House since Democrats took control after the 2018 election. Former Detroit U.S. Rep. John Conyers introduced his own M4A bill for years until he retired in 2017 (under allegations of sexual harassment). Conyers' bill hit the floor in 2003 with 25 sponsors, and by the end of the 115th Congress in 2018 it had 124.

As of Monday, Jayapal's bill already had 107 sponsors.

Even if the latest M4A bill can't make it through the Republican-controlled Senate, even if it can't gain Democratic support in the House, you can bet DSA organizers will still be out knocking doors, adding more support one voter at a time. It's a push for healthcare reform, but also to force politicians to take a stand.

"The momentum behind this idea is so strong," Guastella said. "The No. 1 issue for working Americans is healthcare. The No. 1 problem being discussed at the kitchen table is healthcare. You can't just massage your way out of this."