By now you’ve heard from me about Sen. Bernie Sanders’ massive $3.5 trillion “infrastructure” deal, and the harm it would do to our nation. But what specifically makes this bill the monstrosity that it is?
In a recent op-ed, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and I, spell out just how disastrous Sen. Sanders’ plan would be for Americans’ health care.
First and foremost, this “infrastructure” plan would expand Medicare, placing significant fiscal stress on a program that is already projected to start running out of money to pay benefits in 5 years. As Gov. Jindal and I say: “Sanders’s plan would also expand Medicare for dental, vision, and hearing to the tune of $370 billion over ten years, duplicating coverage and further straining the financially strapped program, likely leading to care rationing and higher premiums for seniors.”
The partisan health care wish list doesn’t stop there. Sen. Sanders would also push states to expand Medicaid services to more able-bodied people, which would mean states would either have to raise taxes or cut services.
Lastly, this bill would expand insurance subsidies, making wealthy Americans available for taxpayer-subsidized insurance. This isn’t acceptable.
And how would Washington pay for all of this? By “printing more money and taxing Americans at a higher rate, including a threatened 95 percent tax hike on the most common prescription drugs if manufacturers don’t agree to top-down, government-imposed price controls.”
Sen. Sanders’ plan ultimately amounts to more government control of health care, less access to quality care, trillions in new spending, and absolutely nothing to do with actual infrastructure. Tell your lawmakers to oppose this boondoggle.