SILVER SPRING, Md. — National Nurses United, the country’s largest union of registered nurses, on Nov. 4 called on Democrats who won control of the House and Senate in this week’s midterm elections to pass Medicare for All.
The union, which says it has more than 225,000 members nationwide, argued that voter frustration with the cost of living, including health care costs, drove the results. It cited exit polling it said showed 60% of all voters and 78% of Democrats believe the federal government should do more to help people get health care.
“We live in the wealthiest country on earth, and there is no reason in 2026 and beyond that our patients should continue trying to decide between paying for lifesaving medical care or filling up their gas tank,” said NNU President Jamie Brown, a registered nurse.
“The anger about having to make such agonizing choices is what handed control of the House and the Senate to Democrats, and now it’s time for those who won their elections to deliver meaningful change for the voters who have put them in office,” Brown said. “It’s time to advance Medicare for All.”
The union pointed to health care cuts it said are set to take effect in January under H.R. 1, the 2025 Republican budget law, and to rising insurance premiums for millions of people.
NNU said Medicare for All was a winning issue for candidates it endorsed, including Senators-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, Troy Jackson of Maine, Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota and Juliana Stratton of Illinois. Among the House winners it listed was Dr. Adam Hamawy in New Jersey’s 12th District.
The union also noted that Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the lead House sponsor of the Medicare for All bill, has called for a full committee markup of the legislation.
“Nurses know there is no better policy solution to save lives and improve health outcomes than Medicare for All,” Brown said, adding that nurses “will continue to hold elected Democrats accountable.”
Medicare for All proposals would replace private insurance with a single government-run health plan covering all U.S. residents. The idea has broad support among progressives but has never come to a floor vote in either chamber of Congress.
The National Coalition for Medicare for All plans a post-election strategy call on Nov. 17, according to the union.
This report is based on information from National Nurses United.
Source: National Nurses United
Leave a Reply