Bill Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Congress: 119
Date Introduced: April 29, 2025
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (April 29, 2025)
Medicare for All Act
This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, home- and community-based long-term care, gender affirming care, and reproductive care, including contraception and abortions.
The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services, with the exception of prescription drugs. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program.
Health insurance exchanges and specified federal health programs terminate upon program implementation. However, the program does not affect coverage provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs, TRICARE, or the Indian Health Service. Additionally, state Medicaid programs must cover certain institutional long-term care services.
The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs and establish a formulary.
Individuals who are age 18 or younger may enroll in the program starting one year after enactment of this bill; other individuals may buy into a transitional plan or an expanded Medicare program at this time, depending on age. The bill's program must be fully implemented four years after enactment.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) (April 29, 2025)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) (April 29, 2025)
Subscribe to receive updates on Congressional action and legislative analysis on immigration issues.