Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García Joins More than 100 Co-Sponsors to Introduce the Medicare for All Act

Washington, DC – Today Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) joined Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and more than 100 Members of Congress to introduce the Medicare for All Act of 2019. This legislation, endorsed by health, labor and consumer advocacy groups, including National Nurses United, American Federation of Teachers, Physicians for a National Health Program, Public Citizen and the Center for Popular Democracy, would ensure that every person in America has access to comprehensive health care.

Link to Facebook Live video.

Congressman García said:

"My district in Chicago has a 20 percent rate of uninsured people. Many working families and immigrants, especially those in mixed-status families, already experience barriers to health care.

"Medicare For All will help provide health care for people like Victor, a constituent in my district who was laid off over a year ago, leaving him with no employment-based insurance. Victor was fortunate enough to find temporary part-time work, but he was not eligible for the health care coverage he once had. He purchased health insurance in the marketplace, but at a cost of over $500 a month. This may not seem like a lot of money for some, but for working class people, it is a lot.

"At 55 years of age, Victor is paying more for his monthly premium than younger adults. At his age, he also needs more medical services, but at 55, he's still too young to qualify for Medicare. If he got seriously ill, he could face bankruptcy.

"That is why today, I stand here proudly endorsing Medicare For All, because we owe it to America. We owe it to the hardworking people in our communities."

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