Senate Democrats scrambled to make reassurances, following the contentious debate about “Medicare for all” among their party colleagues the previous evening, that their caucus was unified when it came healthcare policy before the second Democratic debate round in Detroit happened.
“Democrats are united on healthcare in terms of wanting lower costs for people. We want universal coverage. And there are some differences as to how to get there. But those pale before what Republicans are doing which is to undo the system and I think the people know it,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Wednesday. “That’s the message we are making tonight. Some of the candidates made it last night. I think one of the candidates said the Republicans are talking about taking people’s healthcare away. That’s absolutely true.”
Earlier on Wednesday Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin warned that Tuesday night’s debate on healthcare policy among the candidates over differences between “Medicare for all,” a public option, and the Affordable Care Act, may have gone too much into the weeds for the American public.
“I want to say we’re lost in the weeds but we’re into detail that most people do not appreciate. I think what they’re looking for is affordable, accessible health insurance that really protects their family and with the lawsuit has been filed by Republican attorneys general and supported by the Trump administration,” Durbin told the Washington Examiner.
“It’s pretty clear that they have a record of opposing them. That should be our message. We spent too much time I think getting into the details of a possibility of a future,” he added.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez reiterated the party’s unified stance on healthcare policy when he opened round two of the second Democratic debate, saying that while each candidate may not completely agree on how to get to the ultimate goal of universal healthcare they all stand together regardless.
