Nursing group says Medicare expansion would create jobs, boost economy

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee has come out with an economic analysis supporting the notion of centering U.S. health reforms around a "Medicare for all" scheme that expands the program to cover all Americans. The announcement, which details the economic benefits that could result from such an expansion, is one of a growing number [1] pitching the benefits of a single-payer, Medicare-based model for health reform.

According to research by the Institute for Health and Socio-Economic Policy, an arm of CNA/NNOC, extending Medicare to all U.S. citizens would create 2.6 million jobs, generate $317 billion in new business and public revenues, and supply another $100 billion to the economy.

Thirty percent of the new jobs would be created in the health and social services sector, but this scheme would also create significant gains in retail trade, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing and administrative services, the group projects.

To learn more about these projections:
- read the study [2] (.pdf)
- read the CNA/NNOC press release [3]

Related Article:
Doctors slam MA reforms, promote Medicare expansion [1]