It looks like we’ve entered an alternate universe where Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are singing from the same hymn sheet—at least when it comes to single-payer health care.
Just as Congress was gearing up to approve a health care bill that could leave around 24 million Americans without insurance while handing out nearly a trillion dollars in tax cuts to the wealthy, Trump couldn’t help but sing the praises of Australia’s single-payer health system. During a meeting with Australia’s Prime Minister, he declared, “[Y]ou have better health care than we do.”
Enter Bernie Sanders, the most vocal proponent of single-payer health care in the U.S., who burst into laughter upon hearing Trump’s comments during an MSNBC interview. “Wait a minute… the President has just said it. That’s just great,” Sanders exclaimed, barely able to contain his joy. “Let’s take a look at the Australian health care system. And let’s move—maybe he wants to take a look at the Canadian system or systems throughout Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let us move to a Medicare-for-all system that does what every other major country on earth does—guarantee health care for all people at a fraction of the cost per capita that we spend.” He even tweeted a promise to hold Trump accountable for his newfound enthusiasm.
Now, it’s a bit odd for a Republican president to admire a nationalized health care system just as he pushes a bill that could make insurance unaffordable for millions with pre-existing conditions. Yet, before he took office, Trump had a history of advocating for universal health care, lamenting that the U.S. is the only developed country without it. In his 2000 book, The America We Deserve, he wrote, “We must have universal health care… The Canadian-style, single-payer system… helps Canadians live longer and healthier than Americans.”
Fast forward to 2016, and on David Letterman’s show, he praised Scotland’s single-payer system, recounting a friend’s experience there: “He said it was like great doctors, great care. I mean, we could have a great system in this country.” During a 60 Minutes interview, he promised, “Everybody’s gonna be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now. The government’s gonna pay for it.”
So what happened to the pre-presidency Trump who seemed to grasp the benefits of single-payer systems?
When both iterations of Trump acknowledged that single-payer health care outperforms the U.S. system, they were spot on. Here’s the scoop:
- More Affordable: The U.S. spends nearly double what Australia does on health care—about $9,000 per person versus a mere $4,000. And guess what? Americans pay more for prescription drugs than any other industrialized nation except New Zealand!
- Better Quality: The U.S. lags behind in life expectancy and has higher disease rates compared to its peers. A 2014 study found the U.S. ranked last in health care quality among 11 industrialized countries but led in costs.
- More Efficient: In a 2014 study, Australia was ranked sixth in health care efficiency while the U.S. was a dismal 44th. Our private insurance-driven system is riddled with waste, unlike single-payer models.
- Better Access: Australia provides free or subsidized health care for all citizens, whereas 28.5 million non-elderly Americans still lack insurance, even after the Affordable Care Act.
Interestingly, a Pew poll revealed that 60% of Americans agree with Trump’s sentiment; they believe the government should ensure health care coverage for all citizens. Maybe the pre-presidency Trump was onto something after all. It might be worth a chat with the current President about the merits of the single-payer system, especially before that new healthcare bill hits.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in advocating for single-payer health care, consider volunteering for organizations like the Universal Health Care Action Network or Families USA. And if you’re exploring home insemination options, check out our other blog post at intracervicalinsemination.com or learn more about the at-home insemination kit that provides reliable resources for family planning. Additionally, for those curious about infertility, the CDC offers excellent insights into this topic.
Summary
In a surprising twist, both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump have expressed support for single-payer health care. Trump praised Australia’s system while Sanders called for a similar Medicare-for-all model in the U.S., highlighting the benefits of universal coverage. With mounting evidence supporting the efficiency and affordability of single-payer systems, it’s clear that a shift in U.S. health care policy could be beneficial for millions.