WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa released the following statement regarding the report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Democrats’ proposed “Medicare for All” plan.

“Americans don't support a government-run health care system when they’re told about the countless downsides. Democrats’ plan would eliminate private health insurance companies and would require middle-class Americans to pay much more in taxes. It also threatens the benefits that current Medicare beneficiaries – seniors who have paid into the system their entire working lives – receive,” Grassley said. 

“Government-run health care is a slogan, not an answer. We need to build and improve on what’s working and fix what’s broken. This report doesn’t provide all the details Americans need and that are necessary for a discussion of this magnitude.”

This report was requested  by House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth of Kentucky. Its top take-aways include:

  • A transition from the current system to single-payer would be complicated, challenging and potentially disruptive;
  • Government spending on health care would increase substantially, thereby requiring higher taxes;
  • A public plan might not be as quick to meet patients’ needs;
  • Government would have more control over the health care delivery system; and,
  • A reduction in provider payment rates could reduce the quality of care.

Democrats recently released their plan to effectively eliminate private health insurance in favor of a national, single-payer system that would take away personal choice and freedom – further expanding Washington’s control over Americans’ health care decisions. The Democrat plan would make private and employer-sponsored health coverage illegal, forcing Americans into a one-size-fits-all, government-run health care program.

Under the Democrats’ proposed “Medicare for All” plan,

  • 181 million American workers would be kicked off their private health insurance that they have today, like, and want to keep;
  • Spending would increase by approximately $32 trillion over 10 years placing unprecedented strain on the federal budget and the American taxpayer;
  • Taxes on the middle class would have to be raised significantly in order to pay for so much new spending;
  • Americans would experience disruptions in the availability and accessibility of health care services; and,
  • All Americans, including those with pre-existing, chronic health conditions, would face increased wait times to receive needed medical care.

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