'Medicare for All' Bill Reaches a Record-Breaking 104 Co-Sponsors in Congress

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), a group of 21,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals, announced today that H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act has reached a record number of co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, now totalling 104.

H.R. 676 was introduced in January by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), and has rapidly gained support from members across the country, adding 28 new co-sponsors in April alone. The bill would yield about $500 billion annually in administrative savings and provide immediate coverage to the 26 million Americans who are currently uninsured, achieving President Trump's campaign promises of more coverage, better benefits and lower costs.

"Americans are fed up with an inhumane, profit-driven health system that leaves millions without care," said Dr. Carol Paris, president of PNHP. "Quality health care is not a luxury, nor is it a commodity that can be bought and sold in a marketplace. It is a social good that can be best delivered through a single-payer national health program."

Demands for a national single-payer health plan dominated town hall meetings during the spring congressional recess. PNHP members have contributed to this upswing in activism by calling, writing and visiting their representatives, asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 676 for the benefit of patients, physicians, and the broader economy.

"Gallup, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and other polling organizations have found that there is majority support for Medicare for All in America today," said Rep. Conyers in a recent editorial in the Detroit Free Press. Thanks to this groundswell, he said, "Single payer is politically achievable."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has also announced plans to introduce a Medicare for all bill in the senate next month.

"The momentum towards a universal health program is unstoppable," added Dr. Paris. "Americans of all political stripes are reiterating their long-held support for improved Medicare for all, and Congress has a responsibility to act. We urge all members--including Republicans, whose constituents are demanding a better health care system--to come together and finally enact H.R. 676. Now is the time."