As ‘Medicare-For-All’ Debate Bubbles Up On Campaign Trail, CBO Passes Up Chance To Project Cost

KHN Morning Briefing, August 29, 2018

Experts say that because Republicans control Congress there is not a legitimate reason for the Congressional Budget Office to put time into analyzing the idea. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidate in the California governor race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, says he supports universal health care for illegal immigrants.

The Hill: Why CBO Won’t Estimate Cost Of Bernie Sanders’s ‘Medicare For All’ Bill

A recent study concluding that Sen. Bernie Sanders’s “Medicare for all” bill would cost $32 trillion has set off a furious debate over the cost of the plan. But there’s one estimate that would make an even bigger splash: the score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). (Sullivan, 8/29)

The Hill: California Gov Candidate Backs Universal Healthcare For Undocumented Immigrants California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who is running for governor, said in an interview released Tuesday that he would like to see the state pay for universal healthcare for all illegal immigrants. “I did universal healthcare when I was mayor — fully implemented, regardless of pre-existing condition, ability to pay, and regardless of your immigration status,” Newsom told the podcast Pod Save America, referencing his stint as San Francisco’s mayor. “I’d like to see that extended to the rest of the state. (Keller, 8/28)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations.