Manchester, NH – Today, presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips announced his support for a Medicare for All system with no copayments, no deductibles, and no other cost sharing.    

“Medical debt accounts for 67% of bankruptcies in the United States and exorbitant healthcare costs prevent millions of Americans from getting the care they need for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Dean Phillips. “As president, my first priority will be ensuring every American has access to affordable, exceptional healthcare. I believe that Medicare for All is the best way to accomplish that priority.”

Rep. Phillips’s endorsement of Medicare for All comes after a very personal journey with the healthcare system. In 2014, his daughter, Pia, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While in the children’s hospital in Minnesota, Rep. Phillips and Pia saw firsthand the devastating effects the current health insurance system has on families who are already fighting unimaginable battles, like having children with cancer. 

After previously endorsing a state by state single-payer approach and supporting a public option, Rep. Phillips' discussions with Americans across the country led him to realize those solutions are not enough. To address the full sickcare industry in this country, the government needs to enact Medicare for All.

Rep. Phillips’s plan includes:

• Creation of a Medicare for All national health insurance program to provide everyone in America with comprehensive health care coverage, free at the point of service. This means no deductibles, no copays, no surprise bills, no networks.

• The inclusion of a much broader umbrella of medical coverage – including dental, vision hearing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, reproductive and maternity care, long-term care, in-patient and out-patient services, prescription drugs, and more.

• Ending the loopholes that allow the pharmaceutical industry to price-gouge hardworking Americans ensuring the US stops overpaying for drugs compared to similar countries. 

Rep. Phillips noted that under his approach private health insurance companies will just wither on the vine when they are in competition with a federal insurance program with no copayments or deductibles.  “If private health insurers really have to compete with Medicare for All’s no copayments and no deductibles, in a very short period virtually all of America will voluntarily move to Medicare for All. Some people and businesses believe today that they want to keep their 20th century insurance plans,” said Rep. Phillips. “If so I say to them, go right ahead. Once they see the cost savings and the increased benefits of Medicare for All – a program for the 21st century and beyond – I’m confident they will have a change of heart.” 

This is the second pillar of the Dean Phillips Affordability Plan. He previously outlined his commitment to tuition-free public college/vocational schools and zero-interest student loans while campaigning in New Hampshire.

The full plan details can be accessed on the campaign website: https://www.dean24.com/platform/medicare-for-all. 

About Dean Phillips:

Dean Phillips is a third-term Democratic Congressman from Minnesota running for president because our economy is unaffordable, and it’s time for change. He is a strong and independent voice of reason, focusing on bringing relief to Americans with affordable economic solutions, repairing our broken government, and reimagining a future that doesn’t repeat the same mistakes of the past 50 years. As one of the top ranked bipartisan Congressmen over the last six years, Dean Phillips is determined to take an inclusive, problem-solving, and collaborative approach to legislation that propels America forward to its next generation of leadership.

Media Contact:

press@dean24.com