In a surprising twist, just as Congress was set to pass a health care bill that would strip coverage from approximately 24 million Americans, President Trump expressed admiration for Australia’s single-payer healthcare system. During a meeting with Australia’s prime minister, he remarked, “[Y]ou have better health care than we do.”
Bernie Sanders, a prominent advocate for single-payer healthcare in the U.S., couldn’t contain his laughter when he heard Trump’s comments during an MSNBC interview. “Wait a minute… the President has just said it. That’s just great,” he exclaimed, gathering himself after a chuckle. He continued, “Let’s explore the Australian healthcare model. Perhaps he should also consider the Canadian system or those in Europe. Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s move towards a Medicare-for-all system that guarantees healthcare for everyone at a fraction of the cost compared to what we currently spend.”
In a follow-up tweet, Sanders pledged to hold Trump accountable for his statement, humorously responding to the president’s attempts to clarify his remarks later on.
While it may seem odd for a Republican president to praise a system of nationalized, universal healthcare while backing a bill that could make insurance unaffordable for many Americans, Trump has a history of supporting universal healthcare. He has often lamented that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation without universal access to government-funded healthcare.
In his 2000 book, The America We Deserve, Trump stated, “We must have universal health care. Just imagine the improved quality of life for our society as a whole. The Canadian-style, single-payer system helps Canadians live longer and healthier than Americans.” He also proposed a comprehensive health care program during his presidential candidacy, suggesting it could be funded by increasing corporate taxes.
During a 2016 appearance on David Letterman’s show, Trump shared a personal anecdote about Scotland’s single-payer system, noting a friend’s experience: “He was really in trouble, and when he was released, he asked, ‘Where do I pay?’ and they said, ‘There’s no charge.’ He raved about the great doctors and care.”
In a campaign interview with 60 Minutes, he stated, “Everybody’s got to be covered. I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes or not.”
What happened to Trump’s earlier views on single-payer healthcare?
Both versions of Trump—before and during his presidency—recognized that single-payer systems often yield better health outcomes. Here’s how:
- More Affordable: The U.S. spends roughly $9,000 per person on healthcare, while Australia spends about $4,000. Americans pay more for medications than all but one other industrialized nation.
- Higher Quality: The U.S. has lower life expectancies and higher disease rates compared to other developed nations. A 2014 study ranked the U.S. last in healthcare quality among 11 industrialized countries, despite being first in cost.
- Greater Efficiency: Australia ranked sixth in healthcare efficiency in 2014, while the U.S. languished at 44th. Research shows that the profit-driven private insurance model leads to significant waste compared to single-payer systems.
- Better Access: Countries like Australia provide free or subsidized healthcare to all citizens. In contrast, even with the Affordable Care Act, around 28.5 million non-elderly Americans remain uninsured.
Interestingly, a recent Pew poll indicates that 60% of Americans agree with Trump, believing the government should ensure that all citizens have health coverage. The earlier Trump had some insightful ideas about healthcare; perhaps he should consult with the current administration about the implications of the recent healthcare bill.
For those interested in advocating for single-payer healthcare, consider volunteering or donating to organizations like the Universal Health Care Action Network, Families USA, and Healthcare NOW!
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In summary, it’s remarkable that both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump appear to agree on the merits of a single-payer healthcare system. The conversation around universal healthcare continues to evolve, highlighting the complexities and challenges within the American system.