April, 10 2019, 12:00am EDT
Democratic Socialists of America endorses Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All Act of 2019
Sen. Sanders’ (I-VT) Medicare for All Act of 2019 includes long-term care with no copays, deductibles or premiums
WASHINGTON
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is proud to endorse and celebrate Sen. Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All Act of 2019, which was released Wednesday on the Senate floor. Alongside Pramila Jayapal's HR 1384, which DSA has also endorsed, Sanders' healthcare legislation is the only other bill that meets DSA's five principles for a true single-payer system. You can watch a recording of the announcement here.
In March DSA endorsed Sanders for president in 2020, and chapters across the country have mobilized canvassing operations, organized town halls and urged their legislators to support single-payer healthcare for months. Together, we're building a mass movement of millions of working people to support single-payer healthcare and a Sanders presidency.
"Medicare for All is the only program that will guarantee health care as a right," said DSA National Director Maria Svart. "We won't settle for anything less."
In an improvement upon its 2017 version, Sanders' bill now includes coverage of long-term care. This will allow people with disabilities to receive care at home without financial barriers.
Like Rep. Jayapal's bill in the House, The Medicare for All Act of 2019 would establish a single system that universally and comprehensively covers all US residents. It would cover all medically necessary care without premiums, deductibles, or copays. The Medicare for All Act of 2019 also provides a just transition program for displaced private insurance workers.
Sanders has been a vocal and consistent champion for universal healthcare for decades, and as the frontrunner among the Democratic presidential candidates, we believe Medicare for All has a fighting chance heading into 2020. We're excited to seize this historic moment where the bill's lead sponsor is a serious contender for President of the United States.
"Bernie Sanders' new Medicare for All Act presents a clear alternative to Trump's austerity, and the kind of leadership we need to finally win universal healthcare in America," said Michael Lighty, Sanders Institute Fellow.
Democratic Socialists of America is just one of many coalition organizations that campaigns for support for the bill. Our Medicare for All campaign operates in more than 100 DSA chapters with thousands of members across the country building congressional support for the bill.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has over 55,000 members and 200 local groups (as of November 2018) building working class power while establishing an openly democratic socialist presence in American communities and politics.
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