Now more than ever, the coronavirus pandemic has brought to light the urgent need for universal healthcare.  The cost of healthcare keeps increasing yet our access to quality care does not. Why? Corporatism has put an emphasis on profit instead of on the patient.

During this time of a global crisis, putting politics or economics before the patients and their health is unethical and dangerous.  Although universal health care or a single-payer system is not perfect, it  can save lives and reduce cost. We must guarantee Patients over Profit. 

There are many options that claim to be answer to our troubled and costly healthcare system, but a single-payer plan that is publicly funded is the only solution. Our current corporatized model is the reason why so many Americans are calling for reform as the only means to repair our dysfunctional healthcare system.

A frequent assertion by the commercial health insurance industry, echoed by mainstream media and many candidates, is the need for greater 'choice' of private health insurance. However, experience demonstrates that 'choice' remains with insurers, who arbitrarily drop unprofitable plans, medicines, doctors and hospitals, too often leaving the insured high and dry. Insurers can and do choose to cover the healthy, more profitable clients, and drop the sick. Insurance science proves that a single large risk pool insurance like traditional Medicare is much more actuarially sound and financially sustainable than multiple administratively complex small risk pool commercial insurers.

If the United States had a single-payer healthcare system, we would have more coordinated efforts and effective treatments in place to combat COVID-19.  This would help us save lives.

With a single payer system, no one coping with Coronavirus has to be concerned about the cost of testing, medication or getting care; all patients can get the care they need quickly and either free or at a low cost. During this COVID-19 pandemic, countries with universal healthcare have been able to act more efficiently and effectively than here in the United States.

The Economic Policy Institute's research director Josh Bivens reports that contrary to what many critics are saying, Medicare for All could actually increase the number of jobs and help the U.S. labor market. As new jobs are created, workers salaries and wages would increase, which would then have a positive effect on our economy.

Doctors make the claim that Medicare for All is the only viable solution which can solve our healthcare crisis. Farron Cousins reacts to a report from The Hill which strongly supports Medicare for All over a public option, by providing his own insight into why we need universal healthcare coverage now. 

Understanding current Medicare structure and law leads to a logical extension of Medicare that includes all Americans. We provide a summary that defines implementation of a financial plan for an Extended Medicare (aka Medicare for All).  We compare 2020 Medicare with Extended Medicare for All to demonstrate financing for those 65 and older, those under age 65, and prescription drug coverage for all Americans.

In light of the growing epidemic of COVID-19, Kevin Zeese & Margaret Flowers make the case for Medicare for All. If everyone had access to treatment without regard to cost, the spread of the virus could be controlled.