Recent electoral setbacks have raised questions about the power and appeal of Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others who identify as Democratic Socialists to enact their agenda. Still, pressure to extend “Medicare for All” persists. Senator Sanders's bill by that name has 16 co-sponsors, and 70 members of the House have formed a “Medicare for All Caucus.” The issue will hang over this year's mid-term elections, and likely in 2020 as well. Universal public health care is a legitimate point to debate, but all involved, pro and con, need to own up to the costs involved.
Advocates don't simply want to expand the existing program to everyone; their version of Medicare would include dental, vision, and hearing—none of which is currently covered. Further, their proposed law stipulates “no cost-sharing,” such as “deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or similar charges” on “any individual for any benefits.” This is actually much different from Medicare as it stands today for retirees; hospitalization in Medicare Part A includes a $1,340 deductible for each benefit period. It imposes no coinsurance on the first 60 days of hospitalization, but a charge of $335 per day between 61 and 90 days in the hospital, and a charge of $670 per day over 90 days. Part B, the medical part of Medicare, includes a $183 yearly deducible and requires the patient to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount.
