With the pandemic taking millions of people's jobs—and health care—could Medicare for All be the answer?

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Friend,

In the months since the coronavirus struck, our economy has been devastated. More than 1.4 million people have confirmed COVID-19 cases. And more than 86,000 Americans have died as a result.[1]

With the jobless tally rising quickly by the millions, as businesses struggle to keep people employed during the pandemic, the absurdity of having our health care linked to jobs becomes painfully clear.

EPI research determined 1 ([link removed]) 6.2 ([link removed]) million Americans have likely lost their health care due to pandemic job losses ([link removed]) . Linking health insurance to employment has always been problematic. The pandemic is highlighting and exacerbating those issues. Medicare for All, while a hugely ambitious policy undertaking, could be one way to remedy this situation.

In addition to ensuring people have health coverage—an essential goal during a global pandemic—EPI's research ([link removed]) has determined a Medicare-for-all type health care plan could boost wages, help create jobs and lead to more efficient labor markets that better match jobs and workers.

Watch a two-minute video of EPI's Josh Bivens as he details how unlinking jobs from health care and passing Medicare for All would boost disposable income of working families and create the prospects for new jobs. ([link removed])
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EPI's research shows that Medicare for All would help not hurt the labor market, and would ensure when people lose their job, they still would have access to health care.

More than 33 million Americans have already lost their job since the COVID-19 pandemic derailed our economy, leaving millions of families wondering how they will pay the bills—and what they will do now for health care.

Together, we must continue to push for comprehensive reforms to our health care system that would ensure everyone has access to quality care, independent of their job.

EPI is doing critical research to provide activists and policy makers alike with the tools to fight for a progressive economic agenda. If you can, donate to EPI today to fight for an economy that lifts up all working people. ([link removed])

Thank you for all you do to create an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

In solidarity,

John Schmitt
Vice President, Economic Policy Institute

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