Lawmakers pitch Medicare public option: 5 things to know

A group of Democratic lawmakers has introduced legislation to create a public insurance option for individuals and employers. 

The Choose Medicare Act was introduced by Reps. Jimmy Gonzalez, Jared Huffman, LaMonica McIver and Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Sens. Jeff Merkley and Chris Murphy. 

Here are five things to know: 

1. The legislation would create Medicare “Part E,” according to a news release from Mr. Gonzalez’s office. The option would be available to purchase on all state and federal exchanges, and employers could choose to offer it to their employees instead of private insurance. 
   
2. The Part E plan would include all benefits covered by Medicare, and the 10 essential health benefits included in ACA plans. The plan would also guarantee “access to a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion,” according to the news release. 
   
3. The act also includes changes to traditional Medicare, including capping out-of-pocket costs in the program. 
   
4. Reps. Merkley and Gonzalez and Sen. Murphy introduced similar legislation in 2024. 
   
5. As of 2022, 23 states had introduced legislation to create a public option, and three states had enacted public-option systems.