Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks at a Politics & Eggs event, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, in ... [+]
Congressman Eric Swalwell, preparing to find a lane in a crowded field of 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates, is moving to the right of rivals pushing a single-payer version of Medicare for All.
The 38-year-old California Democrat says he’s for allowing Americans to have a choice between private healthcare coverage and government-run health benefits. A regular guest on multiple cable news shows, Swalwell told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Tuesday that he’s opposed to Medicare for All proposals supported by other Democrats running for President that would bring an end to private insurance.
“I support coverage for all, which would be a public option that would drive down the pressure on the private insurers,” Swalwell said during his MSNBC appearance. Swalwell’s expected to announce his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination soon.
Asked whether he would support Medicare for All proposals that would end private insurance, Swalwell gave a firm “no” during his “Morning Joe” interview.
“I think people want to have choices,” Swalwell said. “But a public option with support from the government for those who need it the most I think will put pressure on the private insurers and drive down the cost.”
The health insurance industry doesn’t support a public option, but health insurers are seeing record growth in Medicare Advantage, private coverage administered by insurers via contracts with the federal government.
Medicare Advantage plans contract with the federal government to provide certain extra benefits to seniors than traditional fee-for-service Medicare such as disease management, vision and dental care and wellness programs. And rules are changing to allow for more supplemental benefits like adult day care and caregiver support services.
L.E.K. Consulting has projected Medicare Advantage enrollment will rise to 38 million, or 50% market penetration by the end of 2025. There are more than 22 million Americans in Medicare Advantage plans today.
Swalwell was among a handful of Democrats running for the presidency or considering a run for the presidency that earlier this year signed letters supporting Medicare Advantage. Those signing the letters included Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) as well as Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) signed a letter supporting Medicare Advantage.
Swalwell and the other members of Congress were among “368 bipartisan leaders in Congress” who signed their support for the Medicare Advantage program, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) touted in a press release in January.
AHIP represents some of the biggest health insurers in the Medicare Advantage business including Anthem, Centene, Cigna and WellCare Health Plans. There were some notable names among Democrats supporting the single payer version of Medicare for All who didn't sign the letters supporting Medicare Advantage.
Senators who didn’t sign the Jan. 31 letter included Democrats Cory Booker or New Jersey; Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Kamala Harris of California, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Beto O’Rourke, a former Democratic Congressman from Texas, is on record saying a year ago he’d vote for Medicare for All legislation but in Iowa last week said his presidency would be one that would build on the Affordable Care Act and work to guarantee coverage for more Americans through a variety of ways.
