Washington, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement marking one year since the introduction of H.R. 1384, the Medicare For All Act of 2019:
“Over the last year, Medicare for All has grown from a bill to a movement. There’s broad recognition across this country that our broken health care system is predatory, cruel, and unsustainable.
“Patients who should be fighting illnesses are forced instead to fight their insurance companies. Hardworking people are turning to GoFundMe donations to refill their insulin. For millions of Americans, seeing a dentist or going to the emergency room is risking financial ruin.
“We can do so much better. With the Medicare for All Act of 2019, we’re offering a new vision – one that promises coverage for everyone, no matter the color of your skin, the neighborhood you live in, or the number in your bank account. A vision where health care is recognized as a human right, for everyone. And as we confront an emerging public health crisis with the novel coronavirus, it is more critical than ever that every American has access to universal health care.”
Congresswoman Jayapal is the lead sponsor of H.R. 1384, the Medicare for All Act of 2019, along with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12). The Medicare For All Act has been endorsed by the CPC and is co-sponsored by more than half of the House Democratic Caucus. Four House committees have held legislative hearings on the Medicare For All Act over the last year.
