Bill > S1655

This bill establishes a national health insurance program called the "Medicare for All Program" to provide comprehensive protection against the costs of health care and health-related items and services for all residents of the United States. Key provisions of the bill include: - Providing universal entitlement to benefits for all residents of the United States, with the Secretary able to make certain other individuals eligible as well. - Prohibiting duplicative private insurance coverage and any patient cost-sharing for covered benefits, except for a limited cost-sharing schedule for prescription drugs. - Covering a comprehensive set of benefits including hospital services, ambulatory care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, long-term care, and more. - Establishing a national health budget with different components for operating expenses, capital expenditures, and other purposes, and providing for interim adjustments to provider payments. - Prohibiting providers from discriminating against individuals based on various characteristics, with an appeals process and allowance for compensatory and punitive damages. - Phasing in the program over several years, with benefits for children available sooner, and including temporary Medicare buy-in and public option programs during the transition period. - Making conforming amendments to other federal health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and ERISA.