Bernie Sanders guarantees healthcare as a right, while Hillary Clinton says she can get to 100 percent coverage via ACA
In a fiery debate that kicked off with back-and-forth barbs over jobs, wars and Wall Street, Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton duked it out over free healthcare for every American.
"We are the only major country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee healthcare to all people and yet we spend more," Sanders said, pointing to England and France specifically.
"My proposal of single payer Medicare for all will save families thousands a year. I am determined to transfer money back to the working families of this country," he said.
Clinton fired back that healthcare economists and experts have found that the Sanders plan would pose "an incredible burden" on the government’s budget and individuals.
[Also: Donald Trump says 'government can lead' in healthcare]
"I agree with the diagnosis that we have to finish the work of getting universal healthcare," Clinton said. "We’re at 90 percent coverage, I’m going to get us to 100 percent, but I do think when you make a proposal while running for President, you should he held accountable."
Sanders noted that America "can guarantee healthcare to all people as a right. Please don’t tell me that we can’t do what other countries around the world are doing."
Acknowledging that both candidates are in favor of universal healthcare coverage, Clinton said she would approach the matter differently than single payer.
"I’m in favor of supporting the (Affordable Care Act) because I know how hard it was to get that passed," she said. "Let’s make the ACA work for everybody, let’s get 100 percent coverage."
Twitter: @SullyHIT
Email the writer: tom.sullivan@himssmedia.com
