Sanders Targets Rival Biden On Health Care, Criticizing His Plan As Falling Short Of What The Country Needs
Former Vice President Joe Biden has signaled support for a buy-in option for Medicare, while rival candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) backs more sweeping changes to the health system. The divide highlights one of the main rifts between the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic field. Other 2020 election news looks at mental health care and environmental justice.
The Hill:
Sanders Criticizes Biden Health Plan: 'It Doesn't Go Anywhere Near Far Enough'
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized his 2020 Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden’s health care plan on Wednesday, saying it falls short of needed changes. “It doesn't go anywhere near far enough,” Sanders told reporters in the Capitol when asked about the former vice president’s plan. “It will be expensive, it will not cover a whole lot of people.” The remarks mark relatively rare direct criticism of a rival candidate in the early stages of the Democratic presidential primary. (Sullivan, 5/1)
Des Moines Register:
2020 Iowa Caucus: John Delaney Wants To Focus On Mental Health Care
John Delaney says Democrats are talking too much about "Medicare for All" and not enough about mental health care. The former Maryland congressman running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination said Wednesday that his fellow Democrats should reframe their discussions rather than centering on "Medicare for All" and single-payer health care — policies he opposes. (Cannon, 5/1)
Kaiser Health News:
Booker’s Argument For Environmental Justice Stays Within The Lines
As part of Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential primary campaign, the New Jersey Democrat talks about “environmental justice” — which seems to mean addressing the environmental factors that disproportionately affect people who are low-income and from minority backgrounds. One issue he’s highlighting: the impact of so-called Superfund sites, hazardous waste sites that are especially prevalent in Booker’s home state, and usually located in the same neighborhoods as low-income residents, often African American or Hispanic. (Luthra, 5/2)
PolitiFact and Kaiser Health News team up to truth-squad health care claims made by politicians and policymakers leading up to the 2020 election. Check here for past coverage.
