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 must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own site now 😉
you’re actually a just right webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent process on this matter!
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the site is really good.
His seven-layer cake only had six levels.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover an individual who truly understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome web site!
I¡¦ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make seriously articles I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put up extraordinary. Excellent process!
Heya i would really love to subscribe and read your blog posts ,
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Really Appreciate this post, can you make it so I get an update sent in an email whenever you write a new update?
I noticed one of your pages have a 404 error.
This is a great blog.
I noticed one of your pages have a 404 error.
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. However think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this site could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its field. Excellent blog!
I love reading your site.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back down the road. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great writing, have a nice weekend!
naturally like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll surely come back again.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
You made some decent points there. I checked on the net for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
Excellent post! We are linking to this particularly great article on our website. Keep up the great writing.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the final part 🙂 I deal with such info much. I used to be seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck. |
The lake has been a considerable ways out of here.
Car security systems have come a ways, however he had been out to prove they could be out smarted.
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Unquestionably consider that which you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest factor to bear in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as other folks think about issues that they just do not know about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as well as outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you
Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks , I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody having similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!|
I believe that is among the so much vital information for me. And i’m satisfied studying your article. But want to observation on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Excellent activity, cheers
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Opera. Exceptional Blog!|
Good blog you have here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!|
Excellent blog here! Also your web site so much up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link on your host? I desire my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Thanks for every other great post. Where else may just anybody get that type of information in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such info.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful information being shared freely out there.