Three lawmakers pitched Medicare for All to more than 100 people at the University of Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 24. They framed the Nov. 3 election as a turning point for universal healthcare.

U.S. Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., joined state Rep. Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor, in the Wolverine Room of the Michigan Union for a town hall hosted by the College Democrats and several partner organizations, the Michigan Daily reported.

Khanna, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, repeatedly tied the future of Medicare for All to the U.S. Senate race between Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers. He called for a floor vote on the policy if Democrats win a congressional majority, saying the party needs "a new generation like Abdul … We need to take a vote on Medicare for All when we win the majority."

El-Sayed has made Medicare for All a central proposal of his Senate campaign. At an Aug. 26 rally at the Michigan Theater, as the Michigan Daily reported, El-Sayed drew a sharp contrast with Rogers: "We want Medicare for all, and if he had his way, he'd have Medicare for none."

Rheingans spotlights MiCare bill

Rheingans used the event to detail her MiCare bill, which would create a publicly financed healthcare system for all Michigan residents with no premiums, deductibles or copays. According to Rheingans's official MiCare page, about 500,000 Michiganders lack access to healthcare, including 80,000 children. The proposal projects a net savings of $20 billion, based on projections for similar plans in other states. Employers would pay 80% of a graduated payroll assessment that funds the system.

Asked whether MiCare would cover immigrants, Rheingans said the bill requires only six months of Michigan residency, regardless of immigration status. She added that residents would need to pay into the system before coverage begins.

The bill has not yet advanced to a full floor vote in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Dingell criticizes federal healthcare cuts

Dingell, who has co-sponsored Medicare for All legislation in the U.S. House, arrived partway through the event and criticized healthcare cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She said she visited every hospital in the Ann Arbor area during August and described growing strain on emergency rooms.

The town hall opened with student testimonials. LSA freshman Surya Gannerkote described losing three people close to them to suicide in their hometown of Palo Alto, California.

Before leaving, Khanna asked audience members to raise their hands if they would only vote for a federal candidate who supports Medicare for All. Most of the room did.

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