Democrats Introduce Bill to Create Public Medicare “Part E”

Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D, California) and Don Beyer (D, Virginia) on Monday introduced the Choose Medicare Act, which would establish a Medicare “Part E” allowing employers and the public to opt into Medicare.¹ Senators Jeff Merkley (D, Oregon) and Chris Murphy (D, Connecticut) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

The proposed legislation would build upon the current system, with the new Medicare “Part E” option designed to pay for itself via premiums and allow Medicare to compete with private health insurance. The bill is cosponsored by Reps Jared Huffman (D, California), LaMonica McIver (D, New Jersey), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D, District of Columbia).

The Choose Medicare Act would establish a Medicare “Part E” that would give employers and the general public the option to opt into the program. | Image credit: zimmytws - AdobeStock_45882892

“Our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history,” Representative Beyer said in a statement. “Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our health care system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all.”

The Choose Medicare Act would make Medicare available through all state and federal health insurance marketplaces and allow people to use Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to assist with payment. It would also let employers of any size choose Medicare rather than private insurance to cover employees without getting rid of their current insurance plans. Increased competition would help lower private insurance premiums.

The bill would require coverage of the 10 essential health benefits in the ACA in addition to everything regular Medicare covers, and it would guarantee access to a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. The legislation also bans discrimination based on preexisting conditions.

Affordability is another target of the bill, with a cap on out-of-pocket spending in traditional Medicare and enhanced premium assistance that more people would qualify for. It would also allow Medicare to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs.

“I got pneumonia when I was seven years old, and my family almost went bankrupt because we were uninsured. Today, too many families are still one medical emergency away from financial crisis,” Representative Gomez said in a statement. “Our bicameral legislation lets every American opt into Medicare—which is affordable, effective, and trusted—and we're going to keep fighting until everyone has access to the care they need.”

Reference

1. Reps. Jimmy Gomez, Don Beyer unveil bold legislation to let Americans choose Medicare. News release. News Release. Representative Jimmy Gomez. June 16, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5514