By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
Healthcare for All costs less. That’s the simple truth. We can spend our money on billionaire tax breaks that add debt with no return for working families, or we can fund care that keeps Missourians healthy, productive, and independent as we age. I choose people first.
Why Healthcare for All Costs Less
Some shout that broad coverage is “too expensive.” Analyses of Medicare for All–style systems estimate federal costs in the range of $3.0 to $4.0 trillion a year. Big number? Yes. But recent billionaire tax cuts added nearly the same amount to the national debt without giving families better care, lower drug prices, or shorter drives to a clinic. Healthcare for All costs less—and it delivers something real in return.
Here’s how that plays out in everyday life. When people can afford preventive visits, checkups, and prescriptions, small problems don’t become big ones. Managed blood pressure costs less than a stroke. Insulin coverage costs less than a diabetic amputation. Regular mental health care costs less than emergency interventions after a crisis.
Healthcare for All Also Costs Less Over Time
Healthier people use fewer high-cost services. That means fewer ER visits, fewer hospital readmissions, and fewer late-stage treatments. As Missourians age, staying healthy is the best cost saver we’ve got. Every farmer, teacher, truck driver, and retiree knows: maintenance is cheaper than a breakdown.
Republicans often say gun violence is a “mental health issue,” but they block investments that would train the next generation of mental health professionals—especially in rural areas. Talk is cheap; action saves lives and money. I’ll put funding where it matters so families can find help close to home.
What This Means for Missouri
Rural communities carry the longest drives, the highest travel costs, and the biggest risk when a clinic closes. When coverage is guaranteed and paid for fairly, local clinics can keep the lights on and see patients earlier, not only in crisis. That stability cuts costs for everyone—patients, counties, and hospitals.
If you want a deeper dive on how public health is being undermined—and what we can do about it—see my related post: Public Health Under Siege: A Call to Action for Our State and Nation.
My Commitments
- Fund care, not billionaire giveaways—because Healthcare for All costs less.
- Expand training and incentives for mental health professionals, with a rural focus.
- Support Medicare for All–style coverage that lowers drug prices and cuts red tape.
- Protect and strengthen local clinics so care is nearby, not an hour’s drive away.
- Demand price transparency and accountability across the system.
We have a clear choice. Keep paying more for worse outcomes—or invest in Healthcare for All that costs less and keeps Missourians healthier, longer. When I’m elected as your congressman, that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.
Sources:
Congressional Budget Office – Options for Reducing the Deficit
Health Affairs – Cost Estimates of Medicare for All