‘Single-Payer’ May Be The Buzzword Du Jour, But Democrats Are Being Warned Not To Utter It On The Trail
The issue is divisive within the party and also leaves progressive Democrats open for attack from Republicans claiming the candidates are supporting socialized medicine. Democrats are trying to hone their message to signal support for more universal health care while also avoiding the contentious phrase. Meanwhile, health care is found to be top of mind for voters as the midterm elections creep closer.
Politico:
The 2 Words You Can’t Say In A Democratic Ad
Democratic voters want single payer health care. But don’t expect to hear Democratic candidates talk about it — at least not in those words. To avoid divisive intraparty fights that drive candidates left — only to be attacked by Republicans for favoring socialized medicine — the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee warned aspirants last year about the political liabilities of endorsing “single payer,” according to sources familiar with the advice. An influential progressive group even urged candidates to discard the often-misunderstood phrase and embrace “Medicare for all” to draw strong connections with the popular seniors’ health program. (Haberkorn, 6/8)
The Hill:
Pelosi: 'Medicare For All' Should Be 'Evaluated' If Dems Win House
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said Thursday that "Medicare for All" proposals should be “evaluated” if Democrats win back the House this year, adding “it’s all on the table." Pelosi has long backed a public option for health insurance, but has not supported going further — as many Democrats want — and setting up government-run, universal health insurance. (Sullivan, 6/7)
The Hill:
Poll: Health Care A Top Issue For Voters Ahead Of Midterms
More than 1 in 5 voters, 22 percent, said in a new NBC News–Wall Street Journal poll that health care is their top issue in the November midterm elections. The economy and jobs followed at 19 percent, with guns at 13 percent, taxes and spending at 11 percent and immigration at 10 percent. The poll found Democrats are more likely to consider health care a top issue. (Hellmann, 6/7)
Politico Pro:
Health Insurance Questions Complicate Lujan Grisham’s Gubernatorial Run
Lujan Grisham was dogged by questions over the last week about whether she used political clout to keep a New Mexico health program for seriously ill patients open for personal financial gain, even as Obamacare rendered such programs around the country virtually obsolete. Lujan Grisham, who was New Mexico’s top-ranking health official before she ran for Congress, says she did not do anything untoward. (Strauss and Pradhan, 6/8)
Kaiser Health News:
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Health Care Politics, Midterm Edition
The 2018 midterm elections were supposed to be a referendum on President Donald Trump, not about issues such as health care. Still, voters, Democrats and, to a lesser extent, Republicans seem to be keeping health care on the front burner. The news from Medicare’s trustees that its hospital trust fund is on shakier financial footing than it was last year, hefty premium increases being proposed in several states and activity on Medicaid expansion all take on a political tinge as the critical elections draw closer. (6/7)
