H.R. 676

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The United States National Health Insurance Act,

(Expanded and Improved Medicare For All)

The “United States National Health Insurance Act,” H.R. 676

(“Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Bill”)

*Introduced by Rep.  John Conyers

 

Brief Summary of Legislation

 

          The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes a unique American national universal health insurance program.  The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health care status. With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non- health care system.

 

Who is Eligible

 

          Every person living or visiting in the United States and the U.S. Territories would receive a United States National Health Insurance Card and ID number once they enroll at the appropriate location. Social Security numbers may not be used when assigning ID cards.

                                                       

                                          Health Care Services Covered 

           This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment. Patients have their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, clinics, and practices. No co-pays or deductibles are permissible under this act.

 

Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System

           Private health insurers shall be prohibited under this act from selling coverage that duplicates the benefits of the USNHI program.  Exceptions to this rule include coverage for cosmetic surgery, and other medically unnecessary treatments. Those who are displaced as the result of the transition to a non- profit health care system are the first to be hired and retrained under this act.

 

Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

 

          The National USNHI program will set reimbursement rates annually for physicians, allow for global budgets (annual lump sums for operating expenses) for  health care providers; and negotiate prescription drug prices. A “Medicare For All Trust Fund” will be established to ensure a dedicated stream of funding, as well as an annual appropriation to ensure optimal levels of funding for the program.

          The conversion to a not-for-profit health care system will take place over a 15 year period, through the sale of U.S. treasury bonds.

 

HR 676 Would Reduce Overall Health Care Costs

 

Families Pay Less

A study by nationally recognized economist, Dean Baker, of the Center for Economic Research and Policy concluded that under H.R. 676, a family of three making $40,000 per year would spend approximately $1900 per year for healthcare coverage.  Currently, (in 2007) the average annual premium for families covered under an eployee health plan is $11,000. (National Coalition on Health Care.)

Business Pays Less

           In 2005, without reform, the average employer that offers coverage will contribute $2,600 to health care per employee (for much skimpier benefits), or 217.00 per month. Under HR 676, the average costs to employers for an employee making $30,000 per year will be reduced to $1,425 per year; or about $119.00 per month.

Baker's study reported that HR 676 would reduce health spending in 2005 from $1 trillion, 918 billion dollars to 1 trillion, 861.3 billion dollars, which translates into a saving of $56 billion in overall health care spending while covering all of the uninsured.  This is a 3% reduction in over-all health care spending.

     Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

           Maintain current federal and state funding for existing health care programs;  employer payroll tax of 4.75, an employee payroll tax of 4.75; establish a 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners; 10% tax on top 1% of wage earners, 1/3rd of 1% stock transaction tax, closing corporate tax loop-holes; repeal the Bush tax cut for the highest income earners.

 

*For more information, contact Joel Segal or Alexia Smokler, Rep. John Conyers, at 202 225-5126.

I am happy to report that things are currently looking up for H.R. 676, The US National Health Insurance Act in the House of Representatives. Together with Mr. Conyers, I have begun an effort to expand the already solid support base for the bill. Many more members of the House of Representatives are cosponsoring the bill in the 109th Congress than in the previous one. A significant portion of those are first time cosponsors. That means the grassroots work that people are doing around the country to educate citizens and their members of Congress is making a difference. YOU are making a difference.

Still, people in the health care field occasionally say to me, "You are right. A single payer system like yours is the only real solution. But this bill will not pass - there are too many powerful interests that oppose it." It is true that large corporations, who are currently making millions every year off the backs of every American who pays for health care, will fight hard to protect the unsustainable status quo as long as they possibly can.

But with health care costs rising faster than inflation with no end in sight; and with the abject failure of managed care to contain those costs; and with the number of uninsured growing steadily; and with American companies losing their competitive edge because they are paying so much more for health care than other developed countries; the opposition will not be able to hold justice at bay for much longer. So when people tell me that national health insurance is the right answer but is not politically feasible, I tell them that the opposite is true. Passage is inevitable - it is only a matter of time.

The amount of time that passes between now and bill passage is entirely up to us. I pledge to continue to advocate until our vision is transformed into reality. I am grateful for the time and effort you have put into this crucial reform. And I urge you to help increase the momentum by continuing your advocacy. It is working.

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Please call your Member of Congress to sign onto H.R. 676 and to call for hearings in the current congressional session (1-866-338-1015)-- and add your organization as an endorser of H.R. 676 and healthcare for every person in the United States. We are disgraced as a nation that we do not have a healthcare system that serves our people. We are # 37 in the world in the provision of healthcare to our people.  We are #43 in the world in infant mortality. (OECD) It is time for a change! Please get your church, union, club, any institution or organization, to join us as endorsers of this bill.