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Universal Healthcare Legislation

Do you support policies that would provide universal, affordable healthcare coverage to all Americans, such as Medicare for All or other expanded public options?

BACKGROUND

  • Access to affordable, quality healthcare is widely viewed as a fundamental right, and expanding universal coverage remains a key goal for many policymakers and advocates;
  • The United States spends significantly more per capita on healthcare than other high-income countries, yet health outcomes often lag behind;
  • In recent years, tens of millions of Americans have remained uninsured or underinsured, facing high out-of-pocket costs for care;
  • Medical debt continues to be a leading cause of financial hardship in the United States, affecting millions of individuals and families;
  • Many Americans report delaying or avoiding necessary care due to cost, even when insured;
  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded access to healthcare and protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, but gaps in coverage, rising premiums, and affordability challenges remain;
  • Americans living abroad face unique healthcare challenges, including lack of access to U.S.-based coverage, limited portability of Medicare, and navigating foreign healthcare systems;
  • Medicare is generally not portable outside the United States, which can create barriers for Americans abroad who may need or prefer access to U.S. healthcare services;
  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted systemic gaps in access, affordability, and public health infrastructure in the United States.

     CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

  • Policymakers continue to debate how best to achieve universal, affordable healthcare coverage, including through Medicare for All, public options, and other reforms;
  • Efforts at the federal and state levels aim to reduce healthcare costs, expand coverage, and address prescription drug pricing;
  • Access to affordable healthcare remains a central issue in national policy discussions and elections;
  • Gaps in access and affordability disproportionately affect marginalized and lower-income communities;

REFERENCES