Controlling costs while improving health care access dominates policy debates in Congress. Some policymakers are increasingly discussing “Medicare-for-All” proposals and multiple single-payer proposals have recently emerged. What do policymakers need to know when thinking about single-payer proposals and their likely effects on cost and access?
A single-payer health care plan could expand coverage to all New York residents, but it would require significant new tax revenue. Overall health care costs would decrease slightly over time if administrative costs are reduced and state officials slow the growth of payments to providers.
Traditional Medicare is popular and therefore can lend a good brand name to coverage expansion proposals, but its limits can be significant for some patients. Those proposing and evaluating “Medicare for All” proposals should consider whether and how these limits are addressed.
Medicare for All is a talking point for both major U.S. political parties. Would it be free? Would people have to switch doctors? Would waits be long? Misconceptions abound about single-payer proposals and their likely effects. Here are the facts.
Policy discussions of single-payer health system proposals need to account for the substantial variation in how they would change the financing, pooling, purchasing and delivery of health care.
