Welcome to the Health Care Task Force Page.

SPEAK OUT FOR COMPREHENSIVE REFORM AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL

The following bills have been introduced by congress:*

The Medicare for All Act (S. 2229 and H.R. 4683) would guarantee coverage of every citizen, phased in over a 10 year period. At this time it is estimated that the financing would require a 7% payroll tax on businesses and a 1.7% tax on workers. By comparison, businesses today spend an estimated 13% of payroll on their health plans. Unions could continue to bargain for supplemental benefits.

The United States National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 676) would create a publicly-financed, privately-delivered health care program based on Medicare. All U.S. residents would be covered. Funding would come from maintaining the current Medicare payroll taxes and Medicaid funding, plus an additional 3.3% payroll tax on employers and a 5% tax on the top five percent of income earners. Other funding would come from eliminating the Bush tax cut, closing corporate tax loopholes, and new taxes on stock and bond transfers.

The American Health Security Act (H.R. 1200) would create a new health care system which would replace all currently existing public programs. Private health insurance plans would be permitted only to supplement the new public plan which would cover virtually all U.S. residents. The program would be administered by the states.

*Information provided by the Communication Workers of America Information on a Week of Action – June 7th organized by Healthcare-NOW in support of H.R. 676 (above) of can be obtained on their website www.healthcare-now.org