PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Eliot Engel, a founding member of the House Medicare for All Caucus, joined more than 100 colleagues today to reintroduce H.R. 1384, the Medicare for All Act, legislation that would provide comprehensive health care to every person in America. Engel has cosponsored every version of this bill since 2004.

Medicare for All would create a universal health care program that enrolls every American at birth.

It expands the wildly popular Medicare program, while also adding dental, vision, prescription drugs, women’s reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care, long term services and supports and more.

The bill would simplify the health care system, cut administrative costs, improve payment systems to hospitals, and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

“It’s time. In fact, it’s long past time that we finally provided truly universal, comprehensive medical coverage to every American,” Rep. Engel said. “Health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for a wealthy few. We are the only developed country in the world that still does not guarantee health care to its citizens. We also happen to be the wealthiest. Medicare for All is a moral imperative that must finally be met.

“The legislation we have reintroduced today will lower costs, including on prescription drugs, and ensure everyone gets the care they deserve. I have supported this bill for years, and was proud to help found the Medicare for All Caucus last year. Now, it’s time to take that next big step for the American people. I am hopeful the Medicare for All Act will be considered in the House soon, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to step up and join our call to provide health care to every American.”