Joe Biden won’t give details on how he plans to offer a public healthcare option for Americans.
Throughout his tour of Iowa and South Carolina, Biden has repeatedly stressed how healthcare is now a “human right” and that he will help finish the job of Obamacare by creating the ability for Americans to buy into Medicare instead of relying on private health insurance.
In South Carolina, Biden spoke again about a Medicare buy-in program, but declined to point to a specific bill. He said in Iowa City last week: “I don’t have time; I don’t want to keep you standing any longer.”
Other candidates, like Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator, have detailed plans for universal healthcare that would transfer all Americans onto a “Medicare for All” plan. Sanders claims that while taxes will go up, Americans will ultimately save money in the long run because there will no longer be things like co-pays or deductibles.
California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris, and fellow 2020 presidential candidate, co-sponsored Sanders’ plan. Other candidates like Sen. Amy Klobuchar has spoken about ways to bring drug prices down by allowing imports from Canada.
