09/21/2025
For individuals interested in submitting a letter to the editor (LTE) about Medicare for All, recent legislation and developments in 2025 offer timely points for discussion. Several organizations provide resources, sample letters, and tips for crafting an effective LTE.
Recent developments to mention
The Medicare for All Act of 2025: On April 29, 2025, Senators Bernie Sanders and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell introduced the latest version of the Medicare for All Act in both the House and Senate. This legislation serves as a central reference point for any letter, demonstrating that Medicare for All is an active topic of policy debate.
Expansion of benefits: The new bill proposes comprehensive benefits, including dental, hearing, and vision coverage, to expand upon the services covered by traditional Medicare. It also aims to eliminate premiums, co-payments, and deductibles.
Contrasting reforms: In 2025, changes to the existing Medicare system, such as a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for prescription drugs and a payment plan option, took effect. An LTE could compare these incremental changes to the more sweeping reforms proposed by the Medicare for All Act.
Existing system costs: The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. continues to be a major concern, with studies showing millions of Americans going into medical debt. This offers a powerful framing for a letter arguing for systemic change.
Tips for writing your letter
Find your angle. Instead of trying to cover every aspect, focus on a single point or issue that is most compelling to you. This could be a personal story about a healthcare experience, a statistic about medical debt, or the comprehensive benefits proposed in the 2025 legislation.
Connect to a recent article. Most papers prefer letters that reference a recent article or editorial they've published. This increases the chance of publication by showing the letter is part of an ongoing conversation.
Cite the current legislation. Make sure to reference the specific bills (H.R. 3069 and S. 1506) introduced in April 2025 to show you are up-to-date on the current political landscape.
Personalize your experience. Your voice is your most valuable asset. While facts and statistics are important, a personal story can make a much stronger impression on readers and editors.
Be concise and clear. Most papers have a strict word count for LTEs (typically 150–250 words). Avoid technical jargon and abbreviations that might confuse the average reader.
Include a call to action. Conclude your letter by encouraging readers to contact their representatives or engage in a specific action. You can also mention whether your local representative has signed on to the new act.
Check submission guidelines. Before submitting, check the specific newspaper's website for their LTE submission process. They usually require you to include your name, address, and phone number for verification.
Sample talking points
Financial security: "With the rising cost of healthcare and millions facing medical debt, the Medicare for All Act of 2025, H.R. 3069, offers a way to ensure no one goes bankrupt due to illness".
Comprehensive care: "Unlike incremental reforms, the new Medicare for All bill addresses the full scope of healthcare needs by expanding coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision, ensuring more complete care for all".
Simpler system: "Our current multi-payer system is bloated with administrative costs. The transition to a single-payer system, as outlined in the 2025 bill, would reduce this bureaucracy and redirect more resources to patient care".
Following other nations: "The U.S. remains an outlier among developed nations for not having universal healthcare. As mentioned in recent op-eds, other countries' systems prove that it can be a more equitable and cost-effective approach to healthcare."
