Just before Congress passed a health care legislation that could strip insurance from roughly 24 million Americans while providing nearly a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the affluent, President Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s health care model—a single-payer system. During a meeting with Australia’s prime minister, he remarked, “[Y]ou have better health care than we do.”
Bernie Sanders, the foremost advocate for single-payer health care in the U.S., couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing Trump’s comments. “Wait a minute…the President has just said it. That’s just great,” Sanders exclaimed, regaining his composure. “Let’s examine the Australian health care system. Perhaps he should also consider the Canadian model or others in Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s transition to a Medicare-for-all system that ensures health care for everyone at a fraction of the cost we currently incur.”
In a tweet, he pledged to hold Trump accountable for his remarks and continued to poke fun at him, especially when the President attempted to clarify his statements.
It may seem peculiar for a Republican president to praise a nationalized, universal health care system while advocating for a bill that could make insurance unaffordable for millions, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. However, prior to his presidency, Trump had a longstanding history of endorsing universal health care and lamented the fact that the U.S. is the only developed nation without comprehensive government-funded health care access.
In his 2000 book, The America We Deserve, Trump stated, “We must have universal health care. Just imagine the improved quality of life for our society as a whole.” He pointed out how a Canadian-style single-payer system, where payments for medical care are centralized, leads to better health outcomes.
Moreover, as a presidential candidate in 2000, he asserted, “I would propose a comprehensive health care program funded by increasing corporate taxes.” Trump even praised Scotland’s single-payer system during a 2016 appearance on David Letterman’s show, sharing a story about how a friend received excellent care without any charges.
In a campaign interview with 60 Minutes, he declared, “Everybody’s got to be covered. This is an un-Republican thing for me to say. I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now.”
What insights did the pre-presidency Trump possess about single-payer health care that the current President seems to overlook? The assertions made by both versions of Trump—that single-payer health care is more effective—are supported by evidence. Single-payer systems tend to yield better health care results compared to the American model for several reasons:
- Cost Efficiency: The U.S. spends approximately $9,000 per person on health care, double what Australia spends at around $4,000. Americans also pay more for prescription drugs than any other industrialized nation, with the exception of New Zealand.
- Quality of Care: The U.S. struggles with lower life expectancies and higher disease rates than its counterparts. A 2014 study revealed that the U.S. ranked last among 11 developed countries in health care quality but first in cost.
- Operational Efficiency: Australia was ranked sixth in health care efficiency in a 2014 global study, while the U.S. was positioned at 44th. Research indicates that the profit-driven nature of private insurance in the U.S. leads to significant waste and inefficiency.
- Access to Services: Countries like Australia provide free or subsidized health care for all citizens. In contrast, even after the Affordable Care Act, around 28.5 million non-elderly Americans remain uninsured.
A majority of Americans (60% in a recent Pew poll) echo Trump’s sentiments, believing that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure health care coverage for everyone. The earlier version of Trump had a clearer understanding of health care; perhaps he should converse with the current President, who has championed a problematic health care bill.
In the meantime, those interested in advocating for single-payer health care can engage with organizations like the Universal Health Care Action Network, Families USA, Healthcare NOW!, and the Campaign for Guaranteed Healthcare. For those looking to explore more about home insemination, you can check out some insightful information in our other blog post linked here.
In summary, there seems to be an unexpected overlap between Trump and Sanders regarding their views on single-payer health care, highlighting a significant policy discussion in American politics. As the nation grapples with health care accessibility, both sides of the aisle may benefit from examining the successful models utilized in other countries.