Sen. Michael Bennet on Friday unveiled a wide-ranging plan to expand health services in rural communities that would also address the opioid crisis, maternal mortality and senior care.
“Rural communities face greater challenges as it is, where clinics are closing, the number of providers is decreasing, and there are higher rates of chronic disease — and these problems have only been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s attacks on our health care system,” the Colorado Democrat and presidential hopeful said in a statement.
The plan was released ahead of a campaign swing through Iowa.
What would the plan do?
Bennet’s plan addresses many aspects of the health care system. It revives his call for a Medicare X public insurance option, which he proposed in May and touts as the “quickest and most effective way to achieve universal coverage and bring down costs.” He also proposes to autoenroll the estimated 7.5 million Americans eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program who don't sign up or who drop off program rolls because they don't reapply.
The plan also addresses the rising cost of prescription drugs, unexpected medical bills and the shortage of rural health providers, including mental health and primary care doctors. It calls for increased investments in virtual care, targeting telemedicine at women and newborns. Bennet notes that upward of 10 percent of rural women have to drive more than 100 miles to the nearest hospital for prenatal care services, making them less likely to seek care.
How would it work?
Under Bennet’s public option, Americans would be able to choose a Medicare X plan in every county and on the small business exchange within two years of the plan's launch. He also proposes to bring down the cost of prescription drugs by allowing the government to directly negotiate prices for traditional Medicare and Medicare X plans.
Bennet’s proposal would provide tax credits for Americans earning below 400 percent of the federal poverty threshold and reinsurance to stabilize insurance markets in rural areas. The plan would address "surprise" medical bills by establishing a transparency tool that consumers could use to compare services and prices.
It would also invest $60 billion to fight the drug addiction crisis and require opioid manufacturers and distributors to pay into a $20 billion fund for treatment and prevention services. And it proposes a $40 billion investment in nationwide broadband to improve health outcomes in rural areas.
To address the shortage of care in those areas, Bennet would offer loan forgiveness of up to $10,000 per year for doctors, nurses and other health professionals who provide care in underserved regions — which Bennet says will help improve access to mental health and maternity care. The plan would also expand Medicaid coverage for up to six months postpartum to new mothers.
What are the weaknesses in the proposal?
Though it is unclear what Bennet’s plan would cost, it’s likely a high price tag, which could be a nonstarter for conservatives. Similar proposals to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers have not gained traction over cost concerns.
What have other Democrats proposed?
Joe Biden’s proposal aimed at rural America also proposes to utilize a public option. His proposal would also provide “funding and flexibility” for rural hospitals for innovative care and “doubling” funding for community health centers. Other candidates have proposed to allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices, as Bennet’s plan does.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) both proposed $100 billion to fight the opioid crisis.
Mohana Ravindranath contributed to this report.
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine