Staying Fit
The two Democratic hopefuls who want to replace the private insurance system in America with a government program went on the offensive at the Democratic debate in Nevada, while the other four candidates on the stage defended their plans to expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Wednesday night's sparring took place in Las Vegas, where Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has come under fire from the union that represents thousands of hospitality workers who worry that his proposal would force them to give up their negotiated health plans. “I will never sign a bill that will reduce the health care benefits they have,” Sanders said. “We will only expand it for them and for every union in America to the working class of this country.” Sanders said his plan would raise taxes, but Americans would pay less for health care because he would eliminate premiums, deductibles and copays as well as expand benefits.
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Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who made his debut appearance on a 2020 debate stage, responded to Sanders’ plan by saying that if he wants to win the election, “you don't start out by saying, ‘I've got 160 million people, I'm going to take away the insurance plan they love.’ “ Bloomberg said he favors restoring any ACA rollbacks, adding a government-backed public option to the current health care choices and capping some charges. “We shouldn't just walk away and start something that is totally new and untried,” Bloomberg added.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren took aim at several of her competitors. She said former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg “really has a slogan that was thought up by a consultant to paper over a thin version of a plan that would leave millions of people unable to afford their health care. It's not a plan; it's a PowerPoint."
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