President Trump attacked Democratic healthcare proposals in direct terms in his third State of the Union address, denouncing them as socialist.
"We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare," Trump said in his address Tuesday night.
Trump is running against Democrats who propose "Medicare for all" plans, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, which would enroll everyone in the United States in a government healthcare plan. Trump, vulnerable on the issue of healthcare otherwise, has sought to cast himself as the defender of the status quo against such overhauls.
"One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our healthcare system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans," Trump said to boos from Republican lawmakers on the floor, a reference to the Medicare for All Act put forward by Sanders.
Trump also pledged his administration “will always protect patients with preexisting conditions — that is a guarantee.” He has said that he will maintain such protections as Democrats have alleged that a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate Obamacare and supported by the administration would remove them for millions.
"And we will always protect your Medicare and your Social Security," he said.
