Comparing Candidates' Healthcare Plans
Health care in the United States is a contentious topic. It is a commonly held belief that the current system is problematic. More than 30 million citizens are uninsured. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate than any other developed country. Americans spend more of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) on healthcare than any other country. Over half of the citizens are forced to rely on employer-provided health insurance. Many of these people live their life in a precarious position, where an unforeseen diagnosis or a termination of their employment can leave them and their families teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Leading up to the 2020 election, health care has been a focal point for discussion. Each of the candidates has had their own solution to the issue. The two remaining Democratic candidates, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have ideas on health care that sharply differ.
Joe Biden’s plan would build upon the legacy of the Affordable Care Act. As president, he would plan to shield it from being removed or replaced and instead would seek to improve the preexisting structure. He would expand coverage, negotiate for lower prices from health-care providers, and give people the choice of a public insurance option. The plan covers pre-existing conditions and people would be able to keep their doctors. Biden claims that his plan would give insurance to low-income people and would insure more than 97 percent of Americans. However, the plan would not be free for all Americans. It would give free coverage to low-income citizens living in states that haven’t yet expanded Medicaid. His campaign estimates the plan as having a price tag of 750 million dollars over a ten year period.
Bernie Sanders is a vocal proponent of Medicare for All, which would be a national health insurance program. With his program, people would be unable to opt-out from it and receive private insurance, but health care would be much more affordable, with no premiums, deductibles, copays, or surprise bills. This plan would be a vast increase in insurance coverage for Americans. Sanders’ Medicare for All bill is exceedingly ambitious, drawing criticism about whether or not it is actually realistic. The Sanders campaign defends the plan, saying that it would save over 450 billion dollars in health care per year. The money would be raised in various ways, such as through taxes (particularly, taxes on those with incomes above certain amounts), capping tax deductions, income-based premiums for employees earning above a certain amount, a payroll tax for larger businesses.
