In an unexpected twist, it seems that both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump share a similar view on the concept of single-payer health care. Just as Congress was gearing up to pass a health care bill that could strip insurance from approximately 24 million Americans while bestowing nearly a trillion dollars in tax cuts to the wealthy, Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s single-payer health system. During a meeting with Australia’s Prime Minister, he remarked, “You have better health care than we do.”
Bernie Sanders, a prominent advocate for single-payer health care in America, could hardly contain his laughter when he heard about Trump’s comments during an interview on MSNBC. After regaining his composure, Sanders responded enthusiastically, “Well, the President has just said it. That’s fantastic! Let’s explore the Australian health care system. Perhaps he should also consider the Canadian model or various systems across Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s push for a Medicare-for-all system that guarantees health care for everyone at a fraction of what we currently spend.” He even took to Twitter to hold the president accountable for his statement, continuing to engage with him in a light-hearted way.
It’s unusual for a Republican president to express admiration for a nationalized health care system, especially while advocating for a bill that threatens to make insurance unaffordable for millions of Americans, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. However, before his presidency, Trump had a long-standing history of endorsing universal health care, often lamenting that the United States is the only developed nation lacking universal access to government-funded health care.
In his 2000 book, The America We Deserve, Trump stated, “We must have universal health care. Just imagine the improved quality of life for our society as a whole. The Canadian-style, single-payer system allows for all payments for medical care to be made through a single agency, contrasting with the multitude of HMOs and insurance companies that impose complex rules and high deductibles. This system helps Canadians enjoy longer and healthier lives than Americans.” He also proposed a comprehensive health care program funded by corporate tax increases during his presidential campaign.
In a 2016 appearance on David Letterman’s show, he praised Scotland’s single-payer system, recounting a friend’s experience: “He got very sick, was hospitalized for four days, and when he was discharged, he was told there was no charge. The care was superb!” During a 60 Minutes interview, Trump declared, “Everybody has to be covered. I don’t care if it costs me votes. Everyone will be taken care of much better than they are now. The government will pay for it.”
What Insights About Single-Payer Health Care Have Been Overlooked by President Trump?
Both the pre-presidency Trump and the current president recognize that single-payer health systems outperform the American model. Here’s a summary of the advantages:
- More Affordable: The U.S. spends about twice as much on health care as Australia (approximately $9,000 per person compared to around $4,000). Americans pay the highest prescription drug costs in the industrialized world, save for New Zealand. While the U.S. allocates 17% of its GDP to health care, other countries, including Australia, spend significantly less.
- Better Quality: The U.S. trails behind other developed nations in life expectancy and has higher disease rates. A 2014 study ranked the U.S. last in health care quality while being the highest in cost among 11 developed countries.
- Greater Efficiency: In 2014, Australia was rated sixth globally for health care efficiency, whereas the U.S. ranked 44th. Research indicates that the profit-driven nature of private insurance leads to substantial waste and inefficiency compared to single-payer systems.
- Improved Access: Australia and other developed nations offer free or subsidized health care to all citizens. In contrast, even after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, about 28.5 million non-elderly Americans remain uninsured.
Interestingly, a majority of Americans (60%, according to a recent Pew poll) agree with Trump, believing the government should ensure health care coverage for every citizen. The pre-presidency Trump had a keen understanding of health care, suggesting he should have a conversation with the current president about the implications of the recent health care bill passed by the House.
In the meantime, individuals can advocate for single-payer health care by volunteering, donating to, or participating in protests organized by groups like the Universal Health Care Action Network, Families USA, Healthcare NOW!, and the Campaign for Guaranteed Healthcare. For those exploring family planning options, check out the at-home intracervical insemination syringe kit for fertility support, and learn more about various methods in our post on in vitro fertilisation.
In summary, the unexpected alignment between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump on single-payer health care highlights a potential pathway forward for a more equitable health system in the United States.