In the second round of presidential debate of Democratic candidates, the hopefuls took on healthcare right away, debating Medicare-for-all proposals and a public option on stage. The arguments over healthcare “set a combative tone” for the rest of the debate and underscored the contentious national dialogue over the issue as a whole, the New York Times reported on July 30.
In addition, the debate highlighted a split among the Democratic party between those that support Medicare-for-all and those that do not.
“In the end, it was a battle between aspiration and pragmatism, a crystallization of the struggle between the party’s left and moderate factions,” the NY Times reported.
The healthcare debate comes at a time when the Affordable Care Act is facing is biggest challenge to date, after a federal judge declared the healthcare law unconstitutional in its entirety. The case is in the appeals process.
Among the Democrats, voters will have to decide on a candidate with a plan that either pushes the ACA forward or favors a new healthcare system entirely.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."