Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington State have introduced their annual measure to establish a single-payer healthcare system. The American Health Security Act of 2011 would establish a single government program to guarantee healthcare to all Americans. Sanders unveiled the bill on Tuesday.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: "Enough is enough. Now is the time for the United States of America to join the rest of the industrialized world and say that healthcare is a right of all people, not a privilege for the few. We are here today to advocate for and bring forth legislation which provides for a Medicare-for-all, single-payer program which will guarantee healthcare for every man, woman and child in this country."

Sanders’ home state of Vermont is preparing to become the first in the country to enact a single-payer system following final approval by lawmakers of a universal healthcare bill earlier this month.