Universal Healthcare Introduction to Congress

May 15, 2023

Happy Monday Healthcare Advocates

It really is a happy day because tomorrow May 16th when Universal Healthcare will be reintroduced into both houses of Congress by Rep. Jayapal (WA) and Sen. Sanders (VT.)

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Universal Healthcare Now

I received a nice email from the vice president of Physicians for a National Health Plan, Dr. Diljeet Singh. This group of doctors actively supports the bill being introduced in the House and Senate tomorrow. The best thing I can do is to just copy his email for you. It has a link to a summary of the bill as well as events you can attend in person in Washington D.C. if you’re there or virtually. There is also a call to action to tell your Congressperson and Senators to sponsor and support the Universal Healthcare bill. remember they can’t hear that enough. The email is below. Have a great day!!!

PNHP EMAIL - Universal Healthcare Bill

You can read a brief summary of the House bill HERE, and the Senate bill is forthcoming. The bills would of course provide free and comprehensive health coverage to everyone in the country, with no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles, and absolutely no restrictive networks.

There are also two additions to this bill that are extremely important to me as a physician, an activist, and an advocate for women’s health. All reproductive health care, including abortion care and contraception, are explicitly covered under this legislation, and the same is true of all gender affirming care. Given the repeated and noxious attacks on women and the LGBTQ+ community in this country, it is crucial that we stand up for their right to access these necessary and often lifesaving treatments.

There are a number of things you can do to support the launch of this bill:

Contact your Representatives and Senators using the message form which can be found HERE, or call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Demand that they sign on to this legislation to ensure that their constituents can freely access the care that they deserve
For DC-area members: Senator Sanders will be hosting a town hall at the Capitol Visitors Center for health care workers and patients on Tuesday, May 16. If you are able, please attend the town hall and wear your white coat and/or scrubs to show your support! RSVP HERE. The event starts at 7:30 PM Eastern, but please arrive between 6:15 and 7:15 PM
Physicians are also encouraged to attend the official press conference at the House Triangle on Wednesday, May 17, at 2 PM Eastern, and bring signs supporting Medicare for All
If you can’t attend in person, you may watch the livestream of the town hall HERE and press conference HERE
Follow the PNHP accounts on Twitter and Facebook, and share the posts we will be making throughout the week about the bill and why we need Medicare for All