CMS' Seema Verma steps into 'Medicare for All' debate

CMS Administrator Seema Verma waded into the "Medical for All" debate with two tweets pointing to the slogan on a T-shirt as "this year's scariest Halloween costume," Forbes reports.

Ms. Verma used her Twitter account to step into the debate surrounding Medicare for All Oct. 31. In two tweets, Ms. Verma honed in on the proposal's expected multitrillion dollar cost and what she says would amount to stripping away healthcare from millions of Americans.

"Did I get your attention? Good. Medicare for All isn't a joke. It's a multi-trillion dollar drain on the American economy that will bankrupt future generations. It's government controlled health care that will strip choice away from millions. It's a bad idea. And it IS scary," she tweeted.

Ms. Verma reiterated the sentiment in an interview with WJLA News later the same day. She said the $32 trillion proposal, backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., "is simply a bad idea," and that policymakers should instead aim to strengthen the existing Medicare program.

"You try to expand [Medicare], that's going to really threaten the program for the people that it's supposed to serve," she said, referring to the millions of Americans above the age of 65 and those with certain disabilities who rely on Medicare.

To access the report, click here.

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