Maryland gubernatorial candidate unveils state Medicare-for-all plan

Ben Jealous — one of eight Democratic candidates running to be the next governor of Maryland — issued a proposal to create what would be the first state-based single-payer health plan, according to a report from The Baltimore Sun.

Under Mr. Jealous' Medicare-for-all plan, called MD-Care, the state would offer a Medicare-like plan to residents of all ages, but it would include mental healthcare, vision coverage and dental coverage. MD-Care would also open the door for direct negotiation with pharmaceutical companies, according to the report.   

Maryland's current all-payer system, which requires payers to reimburse standard hospital rates, puts it in the unique position to roll out a single-payer system, Mr. Jealous told The Baltimore Sun. Vermont tried a similar plan but abandoned it due to the large tax increases it would have required. Mr. Jealous believes Maryland's larger population and economy could support the plan, according to the report. He believes taxes would be lower than what residents currently play in insurance premiums.

Read the full story here.

 

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