Medicare for All Act

This bill would create one national health insurance plan run by the Department of Health and Human Services. It would cover every U.S. resident automatically at birth or when they move here. Covered care would be broad: doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, dental and vision, maternity and newborn care, gender‑affirming care, and reproductive care (including contraception and abortion). It would also cover home- and community-based long‑term care. There would be no deductibles or copays for covered services, with only small, limited cost‑sharing for some prescriptions. The government would negotiate drug prices and maintain a national drug list that favors safe, effective, and lower‑cost options.

Private health insurance could not sell plans that duplicate these benefits, but could offer extra coverage beyond them. During the rollout, children would get covered first, and a temporary public plan would be offered through the insurance marketplaces so people and employers can buy in before full launch. Some current programs (like VA, TRICARE, and Indian Health Service) would continue. Hospitals and similar facilities would be paid through set budgets, and a new trust fund would collect money to run the program.

• Who is affected: All U.S. residents; children get covered first during the transition; VA, TRICARE, and Indian Health Service continue separately.
• What changes: One public plan replaces most other coverage; automatic enrollment with a new insurance card; very broad benefits with no patient cost‑sharing except limited amounts for some drugs; negotiated drug prices.
• What happens to private insurance: No duplicate coverage allowed; supplemental “extra” coverage still allowed.
• When: Kids are covered starting the first calendar year after enactment; everyone else moves to the new program by January 1 of the fourth calendar year after enactment; a temporary public plan is available in the meantime.