Illustration: Maura Losch / Axios
Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ro Khanna on Tuesday introduced a state-based universal health care bill that could serve as a step toward their goal of Medicare for All if Democrats retake control of Congress.
Why it matters: The measure has no chance of passage in a GOP Congress, but it's a marker ahead of the midterm elections reflecting where the health care thinking is among progressives.
What's inside: The measure would create a waiver that states could use to combine federal funding streams under Medicare, Medicaid, the ACA and other programs to set up a new universal health coverage system.
- The system would have to provide coverage for at least 95% of residents within five years, and would have to meet quality standards for coverage.
What they're saying: Markey, Khanna, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a lead backer of the full-scale Medicare for All bill, held a press conference outside the Capitol on Tuesday morning with state leaders.
- Markey said the bill will "move us closer to the reality of Medicare for All."
- He cited the Steward Health Care turmoil in his home state of Massachusetts and private equity's role in health care as "an example of why our health care system is broken in the United States," saying it demonstrated the need for sweeping changes.
