Noah Smith makes the case for making Medicare a universal healthcare system. He shares why we should move away from calling it Medicare for All and just use the term universal Medicare.

Across the United States, people keep voicing their support for universal healthcare.  Our healthcare system is broken and the only way to fix it is by joining other nations and adopt a fair system for everyone, not just for those who can afford it.

Everyone should have access to affordable healthcare, especially if they are sick and especially during a pandemic.  Congressman Ro Khanna distinctly states "stop talking about 'affordable' healthcare and start getting serious about truly universal healthcare." Universal healthcare and Medicare for All would ensure that everyone was covered, no one would lose coverage and no one would be uninsured. 

Imagine a healthcare system that covered everyone in the country regardless of income or employment status.  Now wonder how the pandemic would be different in the United States if we had that system.  This crisis clearly illustrates our need for universal health care for all people, of all ages and all communities.

No health system is perfect, however healthcare in the United States has been failing us miserably during this pandemic. People are afraid to go to the doctor because they can't afford it and don't want to face debt,  or even worse, bankruptcy.  Our current for-profit system is broken and dangerous. 

The JAMA Health Forum has been publishing a variety of articles which address existing racial disparities, and how these inequities are affecting health justice.

After going to Denver Health for severe COVID-19 symptoms, a patient was told he did not meet the official requirements therefore could not receive the COVID-19 test.  It was assumed he was positive, so he was sent home to self-quarantine.  Subsequently, he received a bill for $3278 for his visit to the ER.

A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlights how between 25 -43 million workers could lose their health insurance as they begin losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many American workers receive their health insurance through their employers and with so many of them now being laid off, the question is What Will They Do? 

The illusion that Americans have choice in their healthcare is prominently reported on, yet not completely accurate.  Healthcare as we know it is more of a commodity than anything else.  Americans are led to believe that our plans cover our needs, but in reality many people opt out of treatment or medicine due to high costs, not covered by their plans.

Juan Gonzalez from Democracy Now! reports on his concern and frustration with our healthcare system and how it is failing during this pandemic.  His 92-year old mother and his wife both have contracted COVID-19 and he had to fight to get his mother admitted to the hospital. He promotes the need for a grassroots effort to change our current healthcare system and to also help our undocumented immigrants during this crisis and beyond.