A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Education and Workforce, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the "Medicare for America" health program to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for all Americans. It creates a public health option and phases in automatic enrollment for individuals, including newborns, current Medicare beneficiaries, and those without qualified coverage. The legislation sets up new rules for healthcare providers, establishes a Prescription Drug and Medical Device Review Board to negotiate prices, and implements safe staffing requirements for hospitals. Additionally, it introduces new taxes, such as a surtax on high incomes and increased tobacco and alcohol taxes, to fund the program. State-run exchanges and existing Medicare and Medicaid programs are eventually phased out and replaced by this new unified system.
Yes· 3 of 57
- Scored +10
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Individuals and households below 200 percent of the federal poverty line receive zero premiums, zero deductibles, and no out-of-pocket costs.
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Eliminating the 24-month Medicare waiting period and expanding home- and community-based long-term services provides immense relief for people with disabilities.
- Scored +10
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The legislation establishes universal comprehensive healthcare coverage for all Americans with automatic enrollment.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -8
Would billionaires be better off under this?
Significant increases in top-bracket surtaxes and investment taxes directly reduce the wealth accumulation of billionaires.
- Scored -7
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Substantial tax increases on high incomes, investments, and capital accumulation negatively impact ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
- Scored -6
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
Increases in the net investment income tax and surtaxes increase the tax burden on high-net-worth individuals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 123 eliminates the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with disabilities, which allows disabled individuals to receive necessary healthcare benefits much sooner.
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Section 124 eliminates the waiting period for individuals currently stuck on state Medicaid waiting lists, ensuring they can promptly receive the healthcare services they need.
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Section 2203 of the Social Security Act adds coverage for essential services like dental care, hearing aids, and vision services, which are often not fully covered under traditional Medicare.
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Section 2205 of the Social Security Act establishes that there are no deductibles, lifetime limits, or annual limits under Medicare for America, protecting individuals from runaway out-of-pocket medical expenses.
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Section 130 provides student loan forgiveness for healthcare providers who participate in the Medicare for America program, which can help address medical workforce shortages in local communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 204 increases the Medicare payroll tax rate from 0.9 percent to 4 percent, which will result in higher tax withholding from the paychecks of working people.
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Section 205 increases the net investment income tax from 3.8 percent to 6.9 percent, increasing the tax burden on individuals with investment earnings.
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Section 206 terminates the deduction for contributions to Health Savings Accounts, removing a tax-advantaged way for people to save for their medical expenses.
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Sections 207 and 208 significantly increase federal excise taxes on tobacco products, small cigars, cigarettes, alcohol, and beer, which will raise out-of-pocket costs for consumers who purchase these products.
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Section 209 imposes a new federal tax on sugar-sweetened beverages based on the amount of caloric sweetener they contain, leading to higher prices for everyday drinks.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Individuals and households below 200 percent of the federal poverty line receive zero premiums, zero deductibles, and no out-of-pocket costs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Eliminating the 24-month Medicare waiting period and expanding home- and community-based long-term services provides immense relief for people with disabilities. Would women be better off under this? — Mandated coverage for comprehensive reproductive health services, maternity care, and breast cancer screenings greatly benefits women. Would children be better off under this? — Children receive automatic enrollment, pediatric medical necessity standards, and comprehensive preventive and dental care. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Explicit coverage for gender-confirming medical procedures and strong anti-discrimination protections support the LGBTQ community. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income families are protected with premium caps set at a maximum percentage of monthly income and robust out-of-pocket maximums. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees transition into a robust Medicare for America program that includes expanded dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care benefits. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors benefit from enhanced Medicare coverage that adds dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care supports. Would students be better off under this? — Student loan forgiveness programs for participating healthcare providers offer major financial relief to graduates entering the medical field. Would union members be better off under this? — Strong support for collective bargaining, safe staffing requirements, and worker rights empower unionized healthcare and labor staff. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Expanding universal coverage and focusing on health equity helps eliminate historical healthcare disparities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Low-income and uninsured Hispanic individuals experience significant gains in healthcare access and affordability. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Lawfully present residents and qualifying individuals are eligible for comprehensive healthcare enrollment under Medicare for America. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged workers gain secure health coverage without fear of coverage loss during employment transitions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Special provisions increasing reimbursement rates for rural hospitals ensure that rural residents retain vital local healthcare services. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults benefit from universal coverage options, zero-premium tiers for lower incomes, and loan forgiveness for healthcare workers. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Asian American workers and families benefit from universal healthcare protections and lower out-of-pocket medical costs. Would men be better off under this? — Men benefit from universal healthcare coverage, mental health services, and robust chronic disease management. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill preserves Indian Health Service benefits while providing supplementary allocations and broader healthcare access. Would workers who earn tips be better off under this? — Low-wage tipped workers benefit significantly from zero-premium health coverage and subsidized out-of-pocket limits. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban residents benefit from streamlined public health options, safe hospital staffing minimums, and expanded clinic access. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans maintain their existing VA benefits while gaining access to additional public health coverage options and provider support. Would white Americans be better off under this? — White working-class families benefit from comprehensive healthcare coverage and lowered out-of-pocket medical expenses. Would farmers be better off under this? — Rural development and provider protections ensure that farming and agricultural communities maintain adequate local healthcare access. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Significant increases in top-bracket surtaxes and investment taxes directly reduce the wealth accumulation of billionaires. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Substantial tax increases on high incomes, investments, and capital accumulation negatively impact ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Increases in the net investment income tax and surtaxes increase the tax burden on high-net-worth individuals. Would high-income households be better off under this? — High-income earners face a new 5 percent surtax on income over $500,000 and higher payroll and investment tax rates. Would business owners be better off under this? — Larger employers face mandatory health plan contribution requirements or payroll taxes, and tax deductions for HSAs are terminated.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation establishes universal comprehensive healthcare coverage for all Americans with automatic enrollment. Does this make abortion easier to get? — Section 128 explicitly permits the use of Federal funds for abortion services and requires coverage under the public health options. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill establishes Medicare for America, vastly expanding funding, automatic enrollment, and comprehensive benefits under a unified trust fund. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Section 2203 and mental health parity provisions mandate comprehensive behavioral health and substance use disorder coverage. Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — Section 2206 authorizes drug price negotiations and establishes a review board to prevent excessive pricing. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Substance use disorder services are included as essential benefits without prior authorization barriers. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — Section 124 immediately addresses waiting lists and transitional funding ensures robust support before Medicaid is integrated into the unified program. Does this lower what a hospital stay costs? — Banning balance billing and establishing clear reimbursement schedules helps control overall hospital costs for patients. Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance? — Strict rate controls, medical loss ratio requirements, and public options help lower overall healthcare costs for consumers. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill enhances cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act before transitioning to Medicare for America. Does this put more money into medical research? — Provisions tie drug price justification reporting and licensing to research and development investments. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill supports healthcare providers and ensures veterans maintain access to their specialized programs while gaining optional benefits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Section 123 eliminates the 24-month waiting period for individuals with disabilities, and home- and community-based services are greatly expanded. Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — Section 2203 mandates coverage for gender-confirming medical procedures and protects against discrimination. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion, and targeted maternal care improve gender equity in health. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Eliminating premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for low-income households substantially reduces medical poverty. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Universal healthcare coverage expansion heavily benefits low-income and minority populations facing historical health disparities. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Expanded home- and community-based long-term care and healthcare access help vulnerable populations maintain stable housing.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise taxes on the highest earners? — Section 202 imposes a 5 percent surtax on adjusted gross income exceeding $500,000, and sections 204 and 205 raise payroll and investment taxes for high earners. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by banning surprise balance billing, eliminating deductibles, and capping out-of-pocket costs. Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill sunsets previous tax cuts and increases various tax rates, adding to corporate revenue obligations. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The legislation supports collective bargaining and union representation within nursing and long-term care workforce provisions. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — New dedicated revenue sources, including surtaxes and excise tax increases, are introduced to fund the Medicare for America trust fund. Is this likely to create jobs? — Expanded healthcare coverage and workforce requirements in hospitals and long-term care are likely to create numerous healthcare jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Universal health coverage and reduced personal medical debt could improve overall workforce productivity and consumer stability. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — The bill sunsets recent tax cuts and implements new mandates and excise taxes that could increase burdens on small businesses.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The federal government assumes primary administration of a unified national healthcare program and sets nationwide staffing mandates. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Robust administrative appeal processes are established for coverage determinations, provider removals, and enrollment disputes. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates extensive reporting on drug prices, hospital staffing plans, and network adequacy metrics. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — Banning broker fees and imposing restrictions on former pharmaceutical lobbyists joining review boards helps curb undue influence. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — State-run health exchanges and Medicaid programs are eventually phased out and replaced by a unified federal system.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — Section 130 provides direct student loan forgiveness for healthcare providers participating in Medicare for America. Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Competitive licensing authorities allow the use of patents when drug manufacturers refuse reasonable price negotiations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Rural hospitals receive special higher reimbursement rate protections to ensure adequate healthcare access.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill explicitly preserves and coordinates veterans' medical benefits while offering supplemental choices.
- 10/29/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Education and Workforce, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House