Friend -- in a moment, I'm going to ask you to make a donation to power our people-first movement ([link removed]) but first I want to take a minute to explain why the future of Medicare for All is on the ballot in this election.
It's not a matter of whether or not the people want it -- 69% of voters, the majority of independents, and even nearly half of Republicans support Medicare for All. It's a matter of whether or not we're willing to put in the work to elect bold, progressive leaders up and down the ballot who will finally put an end to our corrupt, for-profit health care system. And while you and I know that our system was already broken, this pandemic has only highlighted its flaws.
Long before the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the United States, our country was leaving 87 million people uninsured or underinsured -- and many more saddled with premiums, co-pays, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and high prescription costs that were simply unaffordable. Now, millions more have lost their health insurance because they lost their jobs as new unemployment claims continue to reach nearly one million a week and COVID-19 cases reach nearly 70,000 a day -- the biggest surge since late July.
Let me be clear: Our for-profit system was cruel before the coronavirus hit, and Trump and Republicans have always done whatever they can to undermine it. They have spent a decade fighting to take health care away from millions including those with pre-existing conditions. They are even in court right now trying to end Obamacare once and for all. In the coming days, they plan to ram through a new Supreme Court justice who they are confident will be the deciding vote to kick at least 21 million people off their health care in the midst of this pandemic.
This moment calls for us to take bold action that matches the scale of this crisis and fully addresses the failures of our existing health care system. That can't happen without a slate of bold, progressive leaders in Congress who are unapologetically fighting for Medicare for All while refusing to accept money from corporate PACs backed by Big Pharma and health insurance companies.
We know that the long-term consequences of failing to provide Medicare for All will be catastrophic -- especially as health care premiums are predicted to increase, COVID-19 treatment bills continue to be astronomical, and the long-term health effects for COVID-19 survivors are still largely unknown.
I wrote the Medicare for All bill in the House because I believe so strongly that health care is a human right -- a promise that no matter your employment status or income or pre-existing conditions or ZIP code or age, you are guaranteed the health care you need.
We have a big opportunity in this election to send leaders from across the country to Congress and make this legislation a reality. I am counting on your support to make sure that we do just that -- because the future of our fight for Medicare for All is on the ballot this year.
I'm asking you personally: Will you chip in $15 for the first time so we can win critical races and finally guarantee health care to every single person in this country? [link removed]
Thank you for fighting alongside me when health care is on the line.
In solidarity,
Pramila JayapalPaid for by Pramila For Congress