In a stunning turn of events, it appears that former President Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders share a surprising consensus on the concept of single-payer health care. Just before Congress advanced a health care bill projected to strip insurance from approximately 24 million Americans while offering tax breaks to the wealthy, Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s single-payer health system. During a meeting with Australia’s prime minister, he stated, “You have better health care than we do.”
Upon hearing this, Sanders couldn’t contain his amusement during an MSNBC interview. After chuckling, he remarked, “Wait a minute…the President has just said it. That’s just fantastic. Let’s examine the Australian health care model. Maybe he should also consider the Canadian system or those in Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s push for a Medicare-for-all system that provides coverage for everyone at a fraction of the cost we currently bear.” He even took to Twitter, pledging to hold Trump accountable for his statement, continuing his playful jabs as the president attempted to clarify his remarks.
It’s certainly peculiar for a Republican president to commend a universal health care system while simultaneously championing a bill that could make insurance unaffordable for countless Americans, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. However, before his presidency, Trump had a long-standing history of supporting universal health care, lamenting that the U.S. remains the only industrialized nation without government-backed health coverage.
In his 2000 book, The America We Deserve, Trump asserted, “We must have universal health care. Just imagine the improved quality of life for our society as a whole.” He specifically praised the Canadian single-payer system for its efficiency compared to the multitude of insurance companies in the U.S. He also promised, during his presidential campaign, to present a comprehensive health care plan funded by corporate tax increases.
On The Late Show with David Letterman, Trump highlighted Scotland’s single-payer model, recounting a friend’s experience in which he received excellent medical care without any charges. Additionally, during a 60 Minutes interview prior to his presidency, he stated, “Everybody’s got to be covered. This is an un-Republican thing for me to say. I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes. […] The government’s gonna pay for it.”
What happened to the pre-presidency Trump who understood the benefits of single-payer systems? Both versions of Trump were correct in acknowledging that such systems yield better health care outcomes compared to the American model. Here’s why:
More Affordable
The U.S. spends about $9,000 per person on health care, double that of Australia’s approximately $4,000. Americans face higher prescription drug costs than all other industrialized nations apart from New Zealand. While the U.S. allocates 17% of its GDP to health care, countries like Australia spend significantly less.
Better Quality
The U.S. lags behind other nations in life expectancy and has higher disease rates. According to a 2014 study, the U.S. ranked last among 11 industrialized countries in health care quality, yet first in expenditures.
More Efficient
In terms of health care efficiency, Australia ranked sixth among 55 countries in 2014, while the U.S. fell to 44th. Research indicates that the profit-driven model of private insurance in the U.S. leads to excessive waste and inefficiencies compared to single-payer systems.
Better Access
Australia and other developed nations offer free or subsidized health care for all citizens. In contrast, even with the Affordable Care Act, 28.5 million non-elderly Americans remain uninsured. A recent Pew poll revealed that 60% of Americans believe the government should ensure health care coverage for all.
This earlier version of Trump had some insightful perspectives on health care. Perhaps he should have a discussion with the current Trump, who endorsed a detrimental health care bill.
In the meantime, those interested in advocating for single-payer health care can engage with organizations like the Universal Health Care Action Network, Families USA, Healthcare NOW!, and the Campaign for Guaranteed Healthcare. For those also considering home insemination, it’s worth checking out this article on fertility supplements here, and for everything you need about home insemination, visit this page. Additionally, for useful insights on what to expect during your first IUI, look at this excellent resource here.
In summary, the unexpected alignment on health care between Trump and Sanders opens a dialogue worth exploring, reminding us that effective health care systems are not just a partisan issue but a fundamental right.
Keyphrase: “Trump and Sanders agree on health care”
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