The week in healthcare reform
This week’s special focus is on Medicare-for-All financing, the cost of drugs and open enrollment.
The Weekly News Roundup brings you snippets of news and brief commentary
on topics related to America’s failing healthcare system and how to improve it.
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Medicare-for-All Financing
Gerald Friedman proposes “a simple expansion of Medicare” which would allow private health insurance a continued role in the healthcare system.
How the US could afford ‘Medicare for All’
WHYY | By Gerald Friedman |October 5, 2019
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Suggestions for funding Medicare for All “without ruining the economy or raising taxes on middle- and low-income earners.”
Opinion: Paying for ‘Medicare for all’? No problem
Los Angeles Times | By Stephen Marks | October 24, 2019
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How health insurance premiums are actually highly regressive “privatized poll taxes” and how financing Medicare for All with public taxes would save everyone money.
Make no mistake: Medicare for All would cut taxes for most Americans
The Guardian | Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman | October 25, 2019
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Drug Prices
Labor & Progressives divided on H.R. 3, Lower Drug Prices Now. The Pharmaceutical Industry Labor-Management Association, a coalition between Big Pharma and union construction workers, opposes Pelosi’s bill yet many progressive legislators complain the bill does not go far enough.
Trade Unions Join Pharma to Attack Democrats Over Bill to Lower Drug Prices
The Intercept | Aída Chávez | October 25, 2019
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Pelosi drug plan hits resistance from left
Politico | Sarah Ferris, Heather Caygle & Adam Cancryn |
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Open Enrollment
California leads the nation once more with premium subsidies that far exceed Affordable Care Act.
California To Provide Financial Boost To Help Buy Health Coverage
Kaiser Health News | By Bernard J. Wolfson | OCTOBER 17, 2019
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Slight drop in premiums for some, increased costs – especially deductibles – for others. And 2.5 million dropped insurance between 2016-2018.
Affordable Care Act premiums to drop 4 percent in 2020
UPI | Daniel Uria | October 22, 2019
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It’s Time to Choose a Health Plan. Prepare Yourself for the Cost.
New York Times | | October 18, 2019
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Health insurance concerns drive job turnover.
Healthcare Coverage, Costs Forcing Workers to Move On
The NonProfit Times | October 21, 2019
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HEAL California is an independent news and information hub focused on the California Medicare for All movement. We feature non-partisan news, views, podcasts and videos that highlight the continuing failures of our broken healthcare system and elevate the voices of advocates and organizations fighting for change.
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