Progressive Caucus Holds Shadow Hearing to Push Medicare for All

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) convened a shadow hearing on Medicare for All, led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell. The hearing follows a wave of legislative activity: more than half of the House Democratic caucus has co-sponsored a universal-coverage bill, Senator Andy Kim introduced a proposal to extend Medicare to all children through age 26, and Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts Medicaid by nearly $1 billion and lets Affordable Care Act subsidies expire.

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Congressman Greg Casar called Medicare for All the Progressive caucus’s “number one priority” for reform. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García warned that healthcare should not be tied to job, income, or zip code, noting that millions delay or forgo care because they cannot afford it.

The Guardian

A 2020 Yale epidemiology study estimated that Medicare for All could save about 68,000 lives annually and reduce U.S. healthcare spending by roughly 13 percent—about $450 billion. A June poll by Tavern Research found a majority or plurality supporting single-payer healthcare, though 70 percent of respondents preferred to keep their current insurance (the poll did not adjust for the 45 percent already on Medicare or Medicaid). A November poll by the Medicare for All PAC showed 52 percent favoring a Democratic candidate who backs the policy versus 45 percent preferring a Republican with a standard GOP health plan; 90 percent of Democratic voters supported universal coverage.

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• “I’m going to get this over the finish line before I die, and I don’t plan on dying soon. But I’d like to get it done,” — Debbie Dingell

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• “We have worse outcomes, including low life expectancy and higher infant mortality rates. The only people benefiting are the corporations who are profiting while Americans are struggling.” — National Nurses United

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• “I do not exaggerate when I say our healthcare system is in dire straits. Every day in my clinic, I see patients struggling with the cost of healthcare,” — Dr Diljeet

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• “The only way to transform our system for the better is to ensure that the profit motive is completely removed from the equation,” — Brown. The

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• “Medicare for All remains, for the Progressive caucus, our number one priority for reforming our healthcare system, and we believe that it should be the number one priority for our Democratic party and for our country,” — Congressman Greg Casar

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• “Healthcare should not be a privilege determined by your job, your income, or your zip code. Yet millions of Americans continue to delay or forgo care because they simply cannot afford it,” — Congressman Jesús

The Guardian