JAMA Network November 17, 2020
Once former Vice President Biden clinched the Democratic Party presidential nomination in early June, it was clear that the chances of a Medicare-for-all–type system in the near future had all but disappeared. Yet, frustration with the fragmented health insurance system crystallized support of progressives for a fundamental rethinking of how US residents pay for health care. Although many progressives will not be satisfied with incremental changes to health care financing, such an approach is considered likely if Biden is elected. Below are several possible concrete steps his administration could take to fulfill his pledge to improve access to and affordability of health care coverage.
One of the biggest problems with the social safety net—including Medicaid and...