That's assuming that all the private coverage moved over. There would be some savings because some drugs on private plans would no longer be covered. Depending on the national pharmacare model you put in place, $8 billion or so, in 2015 dollars, would be shifted over to the federal government. Now, to the extent they can find savings, maybe that number would go lower, but it would be a significant move, assuming it's the federal government. I guess the concern is, what are you getting in terms of health outcomes by making that shift? You're simply moving all the dollars and costs over, and everybody has the same plan. It may address that equity question, but it's certainly not improving the health outcomes generally for the people who already have coverage.
On May 2nd, 2016. See this statement in context.