Organizing for single payer in the Era of the ACA roll out

The Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges open in October and soon many states will launch their Medicaid expansions for those with incomes below 138% of poverty. Sadly, tens of millions will remain uninsured. Massachusetts has more generous coverage within its exchange than the federal law requires, yet medical debt is one of its most common cause of personal bankruptcy. It is likely that coverage under the ACA will leave may of the newly insured in financial distress if severe or chronic illness strikes. HR 676, the Improved and Expanded Medicare for All Act, would cover every resident with comprehensive benefits. The administrative savings of this single payer style reform are estimated conservatively to be $500 billion yearly. This is enough to expand comprehensive coverage to all the uninsured and improve benefits for all of us. HR 676 has a public health and primary care focus that will generate even greater savings over time. Strategies and tactics for organizing the fight for truly universal comprehensive coverage for all and the public health community's role in that effort will be discussed.