Medicare for All is shaping up to be one of the biggest political issues for Democrats this year. Major 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker all support some form of government-run healthcare. In February, more than 100 Democratic House members co-sponsored a Medicare for All plan introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a notable exception. She did not endorse the House bill, and she’s been openly skeptical of the costs. In fact, a top Pelosi aide privately sought to undermine Medicare for All at a private health policy meeting in November, several sources told Politico.
No on Medicare for All
Pelosi’s longtime adviser on health care policy, Wendell Primus, attended the private meeting on Nov. 30 and cautioned the roughly two dozen people in attendance about the risks of Medicare for All, both financial and political, and encouraged them to speak out publicly against the proposed single-payer health care scheme, according to “multiple people familiar with the session.”
Primus was said to have explained that House Democratic leadership did not support the push from some in the party’s caucus toward socialized Medicare for All, in part because it risked drawing attention away from the leadership’s true focus on protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.
That summation came from six unnamed individuals — four who were in the meeting and two who’d been briefed on it. The general consensus on the true thrust of Primus’ comments fell somewhere between a request for the health policy groups to provide more analysis and data on the plan, versus a more underhanded invitation for those groups to openly discredit and distance themselves from the costly Medicare for All proposal.
One attendee said, “It came across as, we need this so we can get on with our agenda. Can you help us point out the problems?”
Denial from Pelosi’s office
Pelosi’s office denied the report in a statement to Politico. “Wendell absolutely did not ask for any kind of one-sided analysis of Medicare for All, and anyone who says otherwise wasn’t actually listening. As Democrats, across the entire spectrum, we believe in legislating based on facts, data and honest analysis,” said Henry Connelly, spokesman for the speaker.
“No one has anything to fear from good faith research on Medicare for All,” Connelly added, in reference to the suggestion that Primus had encouraged the health policy groups to dig in to the details of the single-payer health care proposals and share what had been learned with the public.
But this isn’t the only report of such behind-the-scenes meetings. According to a February report from The Intercept, Primus met with major health insurers in early December and assured them “that party leadership had strong reservations about single-payer health care and was more focused on lowering drug prices.”
Focus on saving Obamacare
Pelosi and other top Democratic leaders would prefer to spend their efforts on saving Obamacare from the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal it, Politico reported. Options include smaller movements centered on lowering prescription drug prices or protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions from being denied insurance coverage.
Politically, it’s a safer route than embracing the controversial Medicare for All scheme, which would completely surpass Obamacare in terms of government control over the nation’s health care system, and which would admittedly force tens of millions of unwilling Americans off their preferred private health insurance plans.
While a significant percentage of Americans approved of Medicare for All’s promised benefits, once they were informed of the cons — cost, increased taxes, loss of private insurance, delays in getting care — most people disapproved of it, according to a Kaiser poll in January.
This allegation of shadowy sabotage of Medicare for All proposals by a top Pelosi aide will likely not sit well with the far-left progressives in the Democratic Party, and given the manner in which the more radical progressives have been so outspoken in recent months, it will be interesting to see if a challenge toward Pelosi’s leadership is mounted by those who feel they’ve been scorned by the head of the party.
1,588 Responses
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.|
Thanks for any other excellent article. The place else may anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Perfectly composed written content, Really enjoyed looking at.
Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?|
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!|
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously feel this site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!
Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Howdy, I think your web site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic website!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything similar to this just before. So nice to uncover somebody by original applying for grants this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this amazing site is one area that is required on the internet, someone after some originality. useful work for bringing a new challenge for the web!
Thank you so much for giving everyone an exceptionally splendid possiblity to check tips from this website. It is usually so awesome and as well , packed with fun for me and my office friends to visit the blog nearly 3 times in one week to see the latest items you have. Not to mention, we are always pleased considering the cool creative ideas you serve. Some 1 areas in this posting are clearly the very best we have had.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
Great web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Splendid post. I discover new things upon different weblogs daily. Couple of stimulating to see content using their company authors and turn out to be acquainted with a small something their particular. I’d think to use some inside the information on my blog need to do not thoughts. Obviously I’ll provides a link back up in internet site. Thank you sharing.
The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t fail me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I truly believed you would probably have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.
Great news once again!
Can I just say what a comfort to find somebody who really knows what they are discussing on the web. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
What’s up mates, its enormous post regarding cultureand entirely explained, keep it up all the time.|
Had to deliver that minimal remark to thanks a ton all over again for these spectacular techniques you could have provided here. It’s so particularly generous with others as you to supply unreservedly what most people could have marketed being an e book to earn some dough on their own, primarily in view that you can have tried it if you ever wanted. The tactics also acted to turn into easy way to recognize that most people have similar desire just as my personal to understand a lot more concerning this condition. I’m there are many easier opportunities up front if you went through your website post.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
As I website possessor I believe the content here is really great , thanks for your efforts.
What’s up, I desire to subscribe for this web site to obtain latest updates, thus where can i do it please help out.|
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
An fascinating dialogue is value comment. I feel that it’s best to write extra on this subject, it won’t be a taboo subject however generally individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
Thanks for another magnificent post. Where else could anyone get that type of info in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you are a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will often come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice day!|
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your wonderful writing due to this problem.
Yes! Finally something about keyword1.|
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Thanks a lot for giving everyone remarkably special possiblity to discover important secrets from here. It is often very sweet and as well , stuffed with a lot of fun for me personally and my office peers to search the blog nearly 3 times in one week to learn the new issues you have got. And of course, I am at all times impressed concerning the great knowledge you serve. Certain 2 tips in this post are in reality the finest I have had.
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she retains the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. Thus that’s why this paragraph is amazing. Thanks!|
I am curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I’m having some small security issues with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?|
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about these issues. To the next! Best wishes!!