Rep. Janelle Bynum backs Medicare for All, citing rising healthcare costs

CLACKAMAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum announced her support Monday for the Medicare for All Act, saying rising healthcare costs are forcing too many Oregonians to choose between medical care and other basic expenses.

Bynum, D-Oregon, made the announcement during an event at the Portland Waterfront, where she said the legislation would help expand access to healthcare and address the financial burden facing families.

“Healthcare is a human right,” Bynum said. “You weren’t supposed to have to budget your human rights into your paycheck. That isn’t agency. It’s time to give the people their healthcare. To give them their agency. And that starts with Medicare for All.”

Bynum said she has spent the past two years hearing from Oregonians about challenges with insurance costs and access to care.

She highlighted the story of Annie, a Bend resident who is self-employed with her husband and gets health insurance through the marketplace. Bynum said the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits will increase the couple's premium by $700 a month.

Bynum also pointed to Oregonians who rely on Medicaid, including a senior from Albany who told her that a hospitalization or surgery could potentially leave her homeless.

Another person Bynum discussed was Rose, a 7-year-old with an ultra-rare genetic syndrome who uses a feeding tube and wheelchair. Bynum said Medicaid has helped Rose receive physical therapy that allowed her to begin taking steps.

Bynum said cuts to Medicaid could put that care at risk.

The congresswoman also criticized Republicans' recently passed federal spending legislation, which she opposed, saying healthcare cuts and the expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits will increase costs for Oregonians.

According to Bynum's office, about 28,000 people in Oregon's 5th Congressional District could see higher healthcare costs because of the expiration of the tax credits, while another 25,000 could lose coverage entirely.

Bynum said her own family pays more than $20,000 a year out of pocket for healthcare.

“The system does not make sense to me,” she said. “We have to turn the whole system on its head.”

Bynum said healthcare access is directly tied to people's ability to make decisions about their lives, including starting a business, caring for family members and seeking medical treatment.

“Access is agency,” she said.

Dr. Antonio Germann, a rural family medicine doctor, praised Bynum for supporting the Medicare for All legislation.

“I am ecstatic to see bold leadership by Rep. Bynum to put patients first and promote sound policy that brings equitable health care access to my community,” Germann said.

Retired family nurse practitioner Tom Sincic also voiced his support, saying Bynum understood the burden health insurance costs place on workers and small businesses.

Bynum said her support for Medicare for All is aimed at ensuring Americans can access healthcare without having to choose between medical care, housing and other basic necessities.

“It's time to give the people their healthcare,” Bynum said. “And that starts with Medicare for All.”