Hoping to Transform 'Momentum Into Policy', Thousands Expected to Flood Capitol Hill to Demand Medicare for All

Ahead of the third annual Women’s March this weekend, thousands of Americans are expected to descend on Capitol Hill on Friday for a Medicare for All lobby day organized by progressive campaigners.

The Women’s March and the Center for Popular Democracy are among the organizations participating in the push, hoping to convince as many lawmakers as possible to co-sponsor Medicare for All bills in the Senate and House—proposals that represent the majority of American public opinion.

“The grassroots energy over the past two years has brought us to a point where the people have the opportunity to set an agenda,” Jennifer Epps-Addison, co-executive director of Center for Popular Democracy Action, told The Hill. “With the most diverse Congress in history, we can turn our momentum into policy to improve the lives of all people in this country. We support Medicare for All because it ensures that all people can access the care that they need to thrive.”

“With the most diverse Congress in history, we can turn our momentum into policy to improve the lives of all people in this country. We support Medicare for All because it ensures that all people can access the care that they need to thrive.” —Jennifer Epps-Addison, Center for Popular Democracy Action

“We brought our #PowerToThePolls in November, electing a #WomensWave to Congress,” wrote Women’s March organizers in their Facebook event page. “With a growing progressive caucus inside the most diverse Congress in U.S. history, it’s time to push forward our agenda—the Women’s Agenda. First up on the list? Achieving Medicare for All, because access to healthcare is a key part of every woman’s life.”

The House bill, proposed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), currently has 124 co-sponsors, with more than 100 declining to back it thus far while Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) legislation has 15 co-sponsors in the Senate. More than 30 Democratic senators have yet to support the proposal.

More than 70 percent of Americans support Medicare for All according to a recent poll by The Hill and HarrisX.