After 43 days, the government shutdown has ended. Following President Donald Trump‘s decision to cut off SNAP benefits to millions of Americans, including 16 million children, 42 million people will once again be able to afford food. Federal employees will be paid, and airline schedules are expected to return to normal.
However, this comes at a cost: healthcare premiums for tens of millions will surge, and 15 million will lose coverage they now have. Studies indicate that 50,000 Americans will die unnecessarily each year due to this financial burden. The shutdown is over, but the pain, suffering, and loss of life begin immediately.
The current economic landscape is already skewed in favor of the wealthy, with the rich gaining more wealth while working families struggle to survive. In this context, the shutdown’s resolution has been criticized for allowing a $1 trillion tax break for the top 1%, at the expense of millions losing healthcare.
Senator Bernie Sanders has emphasized the need for urgent action, suggesting that the only viable solution is to implement Medicare for All. He argues that this approach would not only reduce costs but also simplify the system, eliminating premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare for All could save $650 billion annually by reducing administrative waste and curbing insurance company profits.
Sanders outlines a four-year transition plan: expanding Medicare benefits for older Americans, gradually lowering the eligibility age, and eventually providing coverage for all citizens. This plan aims to address the systemic issues within the healthcare system, ensuring that healthcare is treated as a basic human right rather than a privilege.
The proposed solution reflects a broader call to action, highlighting the need for significant changes to how healthcare is structured in the United States. Sanders’ vision is a response to the current system’s failures, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable model for all Americans.