Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Don Beyer (VA-08) today reintroduced the Choose Medicare Act, a bold proposal to open Medicare to all Americans with a new “Part E” and builds on the system we have today by allowing Medicare to compete with private health insurance. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“I got pneumonia when I was seven years old, and my family almost went bankrupt because we were uninsured. Today too many families are still one medical emergency away from financial crisis,” said Rep. Gomez. “Our bicameral legislation lets every American opt into Medicare — which is affordable, effective, and trusted — and we're going to keep fighting until everyone has access to the care they need.”

“Our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history,” said Rep. Beyer. “Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our health care system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all.”

The Choose Medicare Act is cosponsored by Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL). The bill is supported by Families USA, MoveOn, American Federation of Teachers, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the Center for Health and Democracy.

Medicare “Part E” is a new health insurance option designed to pay for itself through premiums. It would be available on all state and federal health insurance marketplaces, and people could use their current Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to help pay for it. Employers could also choose this option instead of private insurance to cover their workers.

The Choose Medicare Act:

• Increases Access, Competition, and Choice

• Open Medicare to employers of any size, allowing them to offer Medicare Part E to their employees without getting rid of their current insurance plans.
• Ensures the same strong protections apply to everyone, no matter where they get their health insurance, and bans discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.

• Provides Comprehensive Coverage
• Covers the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits, plus everything regular Medicare covers.
• Provides high-quality, gold-level coverage and cost-sharing.
• Guarantees access to a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion.
• Improves Affordability

• Sets a cap on how much people can pay out-of-pocket in traditional Medicare.
• Expands help with premiums so more people qualify, no matter their income.
• Allows Medicare to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs.
• Helps lower private insurance premiums by increasing competition with Medicare.
• Protects people in Part E plans from surprise medical bills, just like in traditional Medicare.

Full text of the Choose Medicare Act can be found by clicking here.