Congressman Dingell believes that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. The first bill he introduced in the 110th Congress, H.R. 15, would provide universal healthcare for all Americans. The Congressman has introduced a similar bill in each of his terms in Congress going back to 1956. He is following in the footsteps of his father, Congressman John Dingell Sr., who also fought for universal health care during his 23 years as a Member.

Congressman John D. Dingell introduces Medicare Rx Drug Bill to Give Seniors Affordable Drug Coverage

In the US, more than 45 million people, including close to 9 million children, are currently living without even the most basic healthcare services. In the world’s richest country, this is an embarrassment. The cost of healthcare is not just detrimental to those without coverage; it is a hidden tax on society, in the form of costly emergency room visits and hospital bills and decreased productivity or slower learning due to absenteeism from work or school.

Moreover, this hidden tax is hurting US competitiveness around the world. US companies are faced with a significant disadvantage due to the costs they pay for their employees’ healthcare. For example, for each car manufactured, US automakers spend twice as much on healthcare than on steel.

Universal healthcare would raise all boats by leveling the playing field for American products, making American workers more productive and helping children achieve higher educational goals. For more details, listen to Congressman Dingell’s healthcare podcast (episode 2).

In addition to H.R. 15, the National Health Insurance Act, Rep. Dingell has introduced several other bills during the 110th Congress to expand healthcare coverage for all Americans. Some of these bills are:

• The Children’s Health First Act, which will make quality, affordable healthcare coverage available for all children.
• The Medicare for All Act, which would make the Medicare program available to everyone under age 65.
• The Children’s Dental Health Improvement Act, which is aimed at improving the delivery of dental services provided to low-income children under Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

For more information about Rep. Dingell’s work on health care, please visit the Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee website.