**For immediate release**

Contact: Emilia.rowland@mail.house.gov (330) 212-2065

Congresswoman Summer Lee Cosponsors Medicare For All Act of 2023

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) joined Senator Bernie Sanders, Reps. Jayapal, Dingell and other leaders to reintroduce the Medicare For All Act of 2023

Right now, there are 85 million uninsured or underinsured Americans. The Medicare for All Act of 2023 would improve and expand the existing Medicare program so that every person living in the United States has guaranteed healthcare. All comprehensive health services would be covered, including primary care, dental, vision, prescription drugs, women’s reproductive health services, and long term care services and supports. Under Medicare for All, there would be no out of pocket costs for patients for any services and all patients would have the freedom to choose the doctors, hospitals and other providers they wish to see.  In addition, the bill emphasizes achieving health equity, and provides a way for the government to address the growing crisis in rural and urban communities which face dwindling numbers of hospitals and clinics. 

Lee said, “Medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy for American families. No one in the wealthiest nation on earth should go without healthcare out of fear of debt. No one should be forced to fundraise just to afford life saving treatments. We MUST pass Medicare For All because our people deserve better.”

A Pennsylvania Survey showed the number of adults that encountered cost-related interruptions to getting healthcare:

27%—Skipped needed dental care

26%—Delayed going to the doctor or having a procedure done

22%—Cut pills in half, skipped doses of medicine or did not fill a prescription

21%—Avoided going to the doctor or having a procedure done altogether

21%—Skipped a recommended medical test or treatment

12%—Had problems getting mental healthcare

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