A new study presented to people attending a meeting of supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says a Medicare-for-all system could save money over the nation's current system while increasing access to care for everyone.

The study released Friday during the Sanders Institute Gathering in Burlington examines the Medicare-for-All Act that Sanders, the Vermont independent, proposed last year.

University of Massachusetts economist Robert Pollin, one of the authors, said the system would save an estimated of 9.6 percent over current U.S. health care consumption expenditures.

The Sanders Institute is separate from the senator's political operations but grew out of the ideas generated during his 2016 presidential campaign. The meeting comes as Sanders is considering whether to seek the presidency in 2020.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)