Progressive Idea of the Week: Medicare or Medicaid for all.

With Republicans in the Senate looking to pass their version of healthcare reform along party lines without benefit of extensive hearings and offerings of amendments (The debate for Obamacare, in contrast, went over a year, had over 100 hearings, and allowed over 100 amendments, many from Republicans), the idea of Medicare or Medicaid for all has found new enthusiasm in the states. California and New York state legislatures are or have put bills together. Nevada's legislature passed one but their governor vetoed it (It will probably come back in some form). Other states like Colorado are considering it. Medicare and Medicaid have widespread support in the country (as does Obamacare now) and is affordable through a slight increase in the payroll tax. Expanding it to everyone would be a program to campaign on should Obamacare (patterned on the Romneycare) be repealed with an inadequate replacement that does not serve the needs of the people.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/15/15787626/mitch-mcconnell-single-payer-medicare-all

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/opinion/obamacare-repeal-medicaid.html?_r=0

http://www.salon.com/2017/06/09/medicaid-for-all-gets-a-major-boost-lawmakers-in-several-states-are-poised-to-pass-the-landmark-health-care-model/

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-nevada-medicaid-2017-story.html