Democrat Socialists and Their Single-Payer Healthcare Agenda
Hal Scherz
Posted: Jul 30, 2018 9:00 AM
There are several irrefutable facts that must be stated together to understand what is happening with healthcare in the US. The first is that the Democratic Party has been split because of the ascension of the Democratic Socialists. Their ideation has significantly influenced the direction of the party as a whole, moving it further left than ever before. The second is that the Democratic Socialists do not like Obamacare any more than those on the right because it is standing in the way of one of their central issues- the creation of a single payer system. The third is that this radical idea is taking hold as part of the Democratic platform and is generating popular support as Obamacare fails and the GOP does nothing to solve this mess.
What was once considered a radical idea and impossible to imagine in any serious discussion about American healthcare, single payer has become very mainstream as a Democrat talking point regarding healthcare. If one doubts this, consider the fact that the Bernie Sanders bill- Medicare for All Act- S1804, has 16 current sponsors, including highly visible names like Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren. Many of these individuals have been mentioned as presidential candidates for 2020.
Not to be outdone, the House has their own single payer bill; a revamped version first introduced by former Rep. John Conyers. The Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act- HR676, already has 123 co-sponsors. This bill, very much like the Senate version, proposes to nationalize healthcare, and the Democrats are trying to outdo each other seeing who can appear most socialist regarding healthcare. This appears to be the direction that the Democratic National Committee is going, as their deputy chair, Keith Ellison, has assumed the lead sponsor role of this bill. However, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee commissioned a survey which reveals that only 12% of Americans want single payer healthcare. Candidates have been warned to be careful how they message this without damaging their electability. They have been given talking points to help them hide their true intentions.
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https://townhall.com/columnists/halscherz/2018/07/30/democrat-socialists-and-their-singlepayer-healthcare-agenda-n2505051
