Though Democratic lawmakers have increasingly rallied around the concept of Medicare-for-all, the proposed legislation would provide coverage for Americans but hurt their ability to receive effective care, according to an op-ed by President Donald Trump published in USA Today.
By opening up Medicare benefits for all citizens, Medicare-for-all would eliminate competition between private insurers and siphon dedicated funding away from coverage for seniors, because it would spread unding thin across all age groups. President Trump argues the legislation would cost $32.6 trillion during its first 10 years.
"By eliminating Medicare as a program for seniors, and outlawing the ability of Americans to enroll in private and employer-based plans, the Democratic plan would inevitably lead to the massive rationing of healthcare," President Trump wrote. "Doctors and hospitals would be put out of business. Seniors would lose access to their favorite doctors. There would be long wait lines for appointments and procedures. Previously covered care would effectively be denied."
President Trump argues Medicare-for-all would not be an extension of the current Medicare program, but instead the beginning of a new kind of socialized healthcare system.
"In practice, the Democratic party's so-called Medicare-for-all would really be Medicare for none. Under the Democrats' plan, today's Medicare would be forced to die. The Democrats' plan also would mean the end of choice for seniors over their own healthcare decisions," President Trump wrote. "Instead, Democrats would give total power and control over seniors' health care decisions to the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C."