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By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Screenshot, CNN debate
September 26, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- In a lively debate on the future of healthcare in America hosted by CNN last night, Republicans Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) authors of a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) sought to defend their measure while admitting they lack enough votes for passage.
Democrat Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont both assailed the GOP plan as cruel for relying on under-funded block grants for states to set rules on healthcare coverage while eliminating many protections under the ACA, though Klobuchar argued for fixing Obamacare and Sanders argued for a shift to Medicare for All (MFA).
Sanders proposed a short-term fix while the broader issues of rising healthcare costs and affordable are addressed: extend Medicare to cover everyone age 55 and older, getting those in need of costlier care off exchanges and out of the private healthcare system, where they drive up rates for everyone.
Republicans insisted their plan is necessary for fiscal responsibility, though it would kick 40 million off healthcare immediately and put others at the mercy of states to determine whether preexisting conditions, maternity care or other needs would be covered.
View complete video here: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/09/25/full_cnn_debate_sens_graham_and_cassey_vs_sens_sanders_and_klobuchar_on_health_care.html
Read complete transcript here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1709/25/se.01.html
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