GOP Presidential Candidates Spar In Latest Debate, But Health Policies Draw Little Notice
However, during the "undercard" debate -- the forum reserved for candidates pulling in lower poll numbers -- La. Gov. Bobby Jindal criticized N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, saying he "caved" on the health law by expanding Medicaid in New Jersey.
The New York Times:
In Republican Debate, Candidates Battle Sharply On Immigration
But policy details and disagreements, for the most part, replaced nasty potshots in the early going on Tuesday night, laying bare real fissures within the Republican Party on immigration, national security, trade and the meaning of being a conservative. The candidates used the 90 seconds they were allotted for each answer to promote their tax proposals, to lament what they said were intrusive business regulations and to delve into the country’s monetary policy. Even when Mr. Kasich sought to speak at one point when he was not called on, it was because he wanted to discuss a value-added tax. (Martin and Healy, 11/10)
The Hill:
Fiorina Takes Aim At Drug Companies, Health Insurers
“Every healthcare provider ought to publish its costs, its prices, its outcomes because, as patients, we don't know what we're buying,” Fiorina said to roaring applause at the GOP debate hosted by Fox Business Network in Milwaukee, Wis. Fiorina said both drug companies and insurers have been less than transparent about their practices, as they’ve increased the cost of healthcare. Her attacks on the industry came in response to a question about ObamaCare's employer mandate, which went into effect this year. Beyond repealing the full text of ObamaCare, she did not propose a specific way to alleviate the burdens of the employer mandate. (Ferris, 11/10)
The Associated Press:
AP FACT CHECK: GOP Candidates Flub Some Figures In Debate
The fourth debate of the 2016 Republican presidential campaign was thick on economic policy — and with that came a variety of flubs and funny numbers. Some of the claims Tuesday night and how they compare with the facts: ... CARLY FIORINA: “Obamacare isn’t really helping anybody.” THE FACTS: President Barack Obama’s health care law may or may not be good for the country on balance. But it’s clearly helping many people. In the two years it’s been in effect, the share of Americans without health insurance has declined to 9 percent, a historic low. People with pre-existing health conditions can no longer be turned away by insurers, and everyone is required to have coverage or face fines. (Rugaber and Boak, 11/11)
The New York Times:
Chris Christie Saves All His Shots For Clinton In G.O.P. Undercard Debate
When Mr. Jindal criticized Mr. Christie for “liberal” policies in New Jersey, he simply said he had no interest in contrasting himself with the Louisiana governor. “I want to talk about what’s going to happen to this country if we have another four years of Barack Obama’s policies,” Mr. Christie said, adding that his success in a blue state qualified him to run strongly nationally. “Wait a minute, records matter,” Mr. Jindal interjected. He criticized Mr. Christie for expanding food stamps and Medicaid in his state. Again, Mr. Christie refused to engage. “Who’s going to be able to beat Hillary Clinton and keep their eye on the ball,” he said. (Gabriel, 11/10)
The Wall Street Journal:
In Early Republican Debate, Chris Christie Looks For An Opening
Mr. Christie was joined on stage by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Mr. Jindal took repeated swipes at Mr. Christie, arguing the New Jersey governor had expanded his state’s government. “You caved in to Obamacare, you expanded Medicaid,” Mr. Jindal said, in a reference to the government health-care program for the poor. “We need a conservative, not a big government Republican.” (Hook and Ballhaus, 11/10)
