In the wake of Covid-19 over 500,000 Marylanders (18% of the workforce) had filed for unemployment by May 9th. Under current employment-based health insurance, when you lose your job you are at immediate risk of losing all health care coverage.

Most newly-unemployed people cannot afford the inflated co-pays and deductibles charged by private insurers even if taxpayers subsidize the costs of COBRA as Democratic leadership proposes.

The better solution is single-payer healthcare. We are therefore petitioning US Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and seven of Maryland's eight Congressmembers to support the following bills (Rep. Jamie Raskin (8th District) is a co-sponsor of all three):

Medicare Crisis Program Act (H.R. 6674) (Sponsored by Rep. Jayapal and Rep. Kennedy)

• Expands Medicare to the recently unemployed and their families.
• Eliminates premiums and limits out-of-pocket costs to 5% of monthly income (not counting unemployment benefits).
• Expands eligibility for Medicaid for citizens who are at 300% of the federal poverty level.
• Limits out-of-pocket cost by requiring all public and private health insurance companies cover all Covid-19 related care.

Healthcare Emergency Guarantee Act (S. 3790 & H.R. 6906) (Sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Rep. Jayapal and Rep. Bass). For the duration of the pandemic:

• Currently Insured Americans: Medicare will cover all co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses including all prescription drug charges.
• Currently Uninsured Americans: Medicare will cover all necessary healthcare and prescription drugs. For citizens who become insured during the pandemic, Medicare will cover all out-of-pocket expenses.

Medicare For All (S. 1129 & H.R. 1384) (Sponsored by Sen. Sanders and Rep. Jayapal)

• Creates a single-payer health insurance system that covers everyone.
• Provides comprehensive coverage including dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care.
• Discontinues premiums, deductibles, and co-pays; no out-of-pocket costs.
• Eliminates restrictive networks; provides choice doctors and hospitals.

Covid-19 has shown that private health insurance is unsustainable - especially at a time when tens of millions of Americans are losing their jobs and are unable to afford healthcare on the exchange. Please tell your representative and Senators to co-sponsor and pass these crucial pieces of legislation into law.