Joe Biden draws line against progressives on health care

[TexasTowelie]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Joe Biden is taking an aggressive approach to defending the Affordable Care Act, challenging not just President Donald Trump but also some of his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination who want to replace the current insurance system with a fully government-run model.

The former vice president has spent the past several weeks highlighting his support for the health care law often called "Obamacare." He told voters in Iowa that he was "against any Republican (and) any Democrat who wants to scrap" the law. He's also talked of "building on" Obamacare.

He released a proposal Monday to add a "public option" to the 2010 health care overhaul, with expanded coverage paid for by tax increases on the wealthiest Americans. Returning to Iowa, he touted the public option as "the quickest ... most rational way to get universal coverage." A sudden transition to "Medicare for All," he said, "is kind of risky."

Biden hopes his positioning as Obamacare's chief defender will remind voters of his work alongside former President Barack Obama, who remains popular among Democrats. And it could reinforce his pitch as a sensible centrist promising to rise above the strident cacophony of Trump and more liberal Democrats who are single-payer advocates.

Read more: https://www.trentonian.com/business/joe-biden-draws-line-against-progressives-on-health-care/article_6a8af4c7-24ed-52b1-9d42-da99ea5fef11.html

[bigtree]

1. it's not just progressives who are concerned about coverage and cost

...Joe should take care that he doesn't just brand folks trying to navigate an imperfect and costly system , wanting change, using 'progressives' as a pejorative.

He needs progressive voters. Our party needs progressive voters. Treating them like an annoyance or fringe is a recipe for dividing Democrats among ourselves and shouldn't be in any candidate's playbook.

[ucrdem]

3. "dividing Democrats among ourselves shouldn't be in any candidate's playbook."

Why no, it shouldn't.

[bigtree]

11. I made the mistake of thinking Joe had actually opened up against 'progressives.'

...it's just a baiting title.

What he's saying about expanding on Obamacare is very appealing for those who can't countenance fighting for a new health care regime. Thankfully, he's sticking to policy and leaving the party factionalism out of his discussions on the issue.

[ucrdem]

2. And that's how he's going to win this thing.

And it's not Joe's fault his senate colleagues signed onto Bernie's doomed M4A bill. But they did and now they have some explaining to do.

[bigtree]

12. you know who could illuminate us on this issue

Link to tweet

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Any proposal

to reform how we pay for healthcare or higher education faces opposition from entrenched financial interests that resist change.

I think they have to stop focusing on what we pay for these services, and start focusing on what they actually cost. As with most items, there is a retail, discount, wholesale, distributor, manufactured, and even insured cost, all of which vary widely. It's like you have to get a insider discount to afford anything, yet insurance boosts the price because it's a pool of money.

[oasis]

5. Biden's healthcare plan could be a "game changer". I see Joe

creating even more space between his campaign and all other contenders.

[Gothmog]

6. I like Joe Biden's plan

[Paladin]

7. Probably a shrewd political move. (nt)

[stopbush]

8. Not if tRump is successful in having the entire ACA struck down.

And judging from the rumblings heard from the courts that seems like a distinct possibility.

[Gothmog]

9. I like Joe's plan

It can be adopted in the real world

[DeminPennswoods]

10. What exactly is "Medicare-like"?

Is it the ability to buy in to Medicare? Is it the ability to buy into FEHB (federal employees health benefits) program at the same subsidized rate as current and retired civil servants? Or something else entirely?

[Cha]

13. Joe Biden is in Good Company..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Progressives Support Shoring Up ACA Before Tackling Medicare For All

Despite a large division in the Democratic party over the best health care solution ― single-payer or a continuation and possible expansion of something like Obamacare ― progressives in Congress appear to be in lockstep with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s priority of shoring up the ACA before tackling anything like Medicare for All.

“I’m happy to support any provision that strengthens the ACA and plug some of the gaps that we’re seeing, particularly as it’s under assault by the president,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told HuffPost on Wednesday. “I think it’s part of a longer-term vision, at least for me, towards guaranteeing ― truly guaranteeing ― health care for all Americans.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142293852#top

Looks like the House Progressives are with former VP Joe Biden

Here's Beto..

Link to tweet

Mahalo!