Bernie Sanders Says His Medicare Plan Would Save Lives and $1 Trillion a Year

Senator Bernie Sanders has long promoted his Medicare for All bill as a way to help Americans access the health care they need and to help eliminate some money stress, but a new study suggests the bill may have some other benefits. A report by Yale University researchers highlights the financial savings Medicare for All might provide, plus it examines the lives that might be saved.

The report has reignited discussion of the bill during a time when inflation is driving up health care costs, and some Americans are losing their insurance entirely.

What Sanders says about the Yale University study

On August 11, Sanders issued a statement after Yale University researchers released a study examining the impacts of Sanders' Medicare for All legislation.

"This study confirms what we have known for years: Medicare for All saves lives and saves money ... It would cost $1 trillion less than our current dysfunctional system," said Sanders. 

How Medicare for All might save lives

According to the study, Medicare for All might save 114,000 lives every year. That includes 33,232 Americans who are uninsured and can't afford health care, as well as 29,631 Americans who are underinsured and can't afford care. It would also include 20,111 Americans who no longer lose their health insurance because of the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Additionally, the figure includes 18,200 seniors who can't currently afford their prescription medication, as well as 13,000 who would be able to receive care in nursing homes.

How Medicare for All might save America money

The report also emphasizes the potential money-saving nature of Medicare for All. According to the report, Medicare for All may reduce the country's total annual health care spending by almost 20%, or more than $1 trillion. At the same time, the bill would eliminate premiums, deductibles, and copayments, provider networks, and prior authorization, which could amount to significant savings.

For example, the report indicates that since Americans would pay prescription drug prices no higher than what other countries pay, Americans could save $377.5 billion. Curbing fraudulent billing might save $285.7 billion, while eliminating bureaucracy and waste might save $286.3 billion. Improving access to health care may help prevent emergency room and hospital visits, amounting to $100 billion in savings. And, by reimbursing providers fairly for their care, Medicare for All might save the country $295.6 billion.

Questions about study accuracy

The Yale analysis is a preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed. Its findings directly contrast the findings of a 2018 analysis by Charles Blahous of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The analysis found that Medicare for All might raise federal health spending by as much as $32.6 trillion over 10 years.

The support for a single-payer system

According to polling, the majority of United States adults tend to support the idea of a single-payer health care system like Medicare for All. A November 2025 Gallup poll revealed that 64% of adults felt the federal government has a responsibility to ensure health care coverage. In a Pew Research Center poll, 66% of adults expressed the same sentiment.

In November 2025, a Data for Progress survey found that 65% of likely voters supported replacing most private insurance with a Medicare for All system. Supporters included 78% of Democrats, 71% of independents, and 49% of Republicans, indicating strong bipartisan support for the idea.

If polls state that a single-payer plan would entirely eliminate private insurance and be funded by higher taxes, support drops. A July 2026 survey by Tavern Research for the Searchlight Institute did just that and found that 70% of respondents wanted to keep their health insurance plan. Medicare for All received just 11 points of net support in the poll.

Objections to Medicare for All

Many objections to Medicare for All center around the fact that the program would be paid for by taxes. The Heritage Foundation has warned of a significant tax increase, stating that most Americans would be "financially worse off" under a single-payer system. Since taxes are a hot topic, a significant tax increase is a point of contention for many politicians.

There's also concern about how a single-payer system might affect the private health care sector. It's possible that job losses might occur, and there's concern about whether treatments might truly become broadly accessible.

Bottom line

The new Yale University report seems to provide compelling evidence for Medicare for All, but the report hasn't been peer-reviewed, and data on the actual impacts of such a program is varied. Sanders has pushed for Medicare for All for nearly a decade, but so far his efforts have been unsuccessful. Though polling seems to indicate growing support for a single-payer system, Medicare for All likely faces an uphill battle in Congress.

The future of Medicare for All is uncertain, so for now, it's important to stay on top of your health insurance policy. During open enrollment, shop around and compare your policy to others to make sure it gives you the coverage you need. Doing so may help you access your health care and avoid wasting money.

You May Also Like

23 Ways To Get Money Without Getting A Second Job

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

7 Moves If You Want to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

By FinanceBuzz Editors

7 Clever Ways to Crush Your Debt

By FinanceBuzz Editors

Save Money and Get Huge Discounts on Everyday Purchases

AARP Benefits

• Huge discounts on travel, groceries, prescriptions and more
• Access to financial planning resources and health tools
• Join AARP and get 25% off with automatic renewal

Become a member now!

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms