New Plan for Healthcare Overhaul

The Center for American Progress proposed a new initiative dubbed "Medicare Extra for All," which would build on Medicare to guarantee coverage to consumers, reports the Associated Press . Preventive care, treatment for chronic disease, and generic prescription drugs would be free. Employers and individuals would have a choice of joining Medicare Extra, but it would not be required. Low-income people would pay no premiums or copays, which for others would be determined according to income. Medicare Extra would use Medicare's payment system as a framework to pool working-age people and their families, low-income people now covered by Medicaid, and older adults. The plan's authors acknowledge significant tax increases would be required. Options include rolling back some of the recently enacted GOP tax cuts for corporations and upper-income people, raising Medicare taxes on upper-income earners, and higher taxes on tobacco and sugary soft drinks.