Well, folks, buckle up for another rollercoaster ride through the twisted corridors of Democratic healthcare policy. Our favorite flip-flopping VP, Kamala Harris, is at it again, leaving us all wondering if she even knows what she thinks about private health insurance. But don’t worry, your trusty conservative news analyst is here to cut through the smoke and mirrors and give you the cold, hard facts. So, grab your aspirin (while you still can), and let’s dive into the murky waters of Kamalacare.
The Medicare-for-All Conundrum
Kamala Harris has been a vocal supporter of Medicare-for-All, even co-sponsoring Bernie Sanders’ bill in 2017. This plan aimed to replace private insurance with a single-payer system, effectively eliminating the health insurance industry as we know it.
“Here, I’ll break some news. I intend to co-sponsor the Medicare-for-all bill, because it’s just the right thing to do.” – Kamala Harris
However, Harris’s stance on private health insurance has been about as consistent as a weather vane in a tornado. Throughout her campaign, she’s made multiple reversals and clarifications, leaving voters and pundits alike scratching their heads.
The Flip-Flop Express
In one debate, Harris raised her hand to indicate support for eliminating private insurance, only to backtrack the next day, claiming she misheard the question. This pattern of contradictory statements has become a hallmark of her healthcare policy.
“No, no, I do not” – Kamala Harris
Harris later proposed a 10-year transition plan to expand Medicare access, which includes maintaining a role for private insurers, albeit with reduced reimbursement rates. This plan, dubbed “Kamalacare” by some, has been criticized by both sides of the aisle for its potential to introduce “more corporate greed and more profiteering within Medicare.”
The Cost of ‘Free’ Healthcare
Both Harris and Sanders’ versions of Medicare for All would come with a hefty price tag of over $30 trillion. This astronomical cost has led to concerns about the feasibility and economic impact of such a sweeping change to the healthcare system.
“To replace the entire private system where companies provide health care for their employees would bankrupt us for a very long time.” – Michael Bloomberg
https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2024/07/25/if-you-like-your-health-care-plan-will-kamala-harris-let-you-keep-it/
Despite these concerns, Harris continues to push for a single-payer system, arguing that it’s “just the right thing to do.” However, her inconsistent messaging and the potential economic ramifications of her proposals have left many voters skeptical.
The Future of Healthcare Under Harris
As we look towards the future, it’s clear that healthcare will remain a hot-button issue. With Harris potentially at the helm, we can expect a continued push towards a government-controlled healthcare system, despite the concerns of fiscal conservatives and those who value choice in their healthcare options.
“We can look back to 2019 and get an idea of what she views, but she also now has four years of being part of an administration” – Dan Mallinson
Whether Harris will be able to navigate the complex landscape of healthcare reform remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the debate over private health insurance and the future of the U.S. healthcare system is far from over.
Sources
- If You Like Your Health Care Plan, Will Kamala Harris Let You Keep It?
- Kamala Harris changes answer on abolishing private health insurance, saying she misheard debate question
- Here’s where Kamala Harris stands on various health care issues as she campaigns for presidency
- If You Like Your Health Care Plan, Will Kamala Harris Let You Keep It?
More from Around the Web
Where Kamala Harris stands on healthcare issues:
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Sources and Citations:
Quotes:
“Here, I’ll break some news. I intend to co-sponsor the Medicare-for-all bill, because it’s just the right thing to do.” – Kamala Harris
“I believe the solution—and I actually feel very strongly about this—is that we need to have Medicare for all. That’s just the bottom line…it is inhumane to make people go through a system where they cannot literally receive the benefit of what medical science can offer because some insurance company has decided it doesn’t meet their bottom line.” – Kamala Harris
“Well, listen, the idea is that everyone gets access to medical care, and you don’t have to go through the process of going through an insurance company, having them give you approval, going through the paperwork, all of the delay that may require. Who of us has not had that situation, where you’ve got to wait for approval, and the doctor says, well, I don’t know if your insurance company is going to cover this? Let’s eliminate all of that. Let’s move on.” – Kamala Harris
“To replace the entire private system where companies provide health care for their employees would bankrupt us for a very long time.” – Michael Bloomberg
“Medicare-for-all is the plan that she believes will solve the problem and get all Americans covered. Period.” – Ian Says
“That’s not what I meant.” – Kamala Harris
“No, I do not.” – Kamala Harris
“I think they’re very similar. I don’t know—I don’t think that—I’m supporting his bill, so to the extent he’s talking about his bill, I don’t know what else he’s talking about.” – Kamala Harris
“Kamalacare” would introduce “more corporate greed and more profiteering within Medicare.” – Faiz Shakir
“Hits the middle class too hard.” – Kamala Harris
Source link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2024/07/25/if-you-like-your-health-care-plan-will-kamala-harris-let-you-keep-it/
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“We can look back to 2019 and get an idea of what she views, but she also now has four years of being part of an administration” – Dan Mallinson
“My understanding is this is another area where she is a bit more progressive than the president in that [she] is supportive of the Affordable Care Act and the expansion that occurred, but is among those who argue that a next step then would be to provide that kind of Medicare for All idea, or a public option” – Dan Mallinson
“To truly protect reproductive freedoms, we must restore the protections of Roe” – Kamala Harris
“Biden, having a strong Catholic background, had been much more moderate on the issue of reproductive rights, but [he] has become much more vocal after the overturning of Roe versus Wade” – Dan Mallinson
“You’ve seen both former President Trump, as well as President Biden, make a lot of promises about executive action, and then it’s actually difficult to follow through on that” – Dan Mallinson
“They’re not they’re not kings and queens. Those orders only allow them to make changes that are already within their authority as the executive in a certain area” – Dan Mallinson
Source link: https://abc7chicago.com/post/kamala-harris-on-health-care/15084363/
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“let’s eliminate all that” – Kamala Harris
“Without earning a single vote in either the 2020 or 2024 presidential primary, Vice President Kamala Harris has been safely installed by the Democratic Party as this cycle’s presidential nominee” – Author
“terrible mistake” – Donald Trump
Source link: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3102652/banning-fracking-to-private-health-insurance-kamala-harris-no-centrist/
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There are no direct quotes in the given article content.
Source link: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/kamala-harris-presidency-mean-us-health-care-abortion-rcna163124
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“No, no, I do not” – Kamala D. Harris
“You’re damn right.” – Bernie Sanders
“As a technical matter, the Medicare-for-all bill would allow private insurers to sell supplemental policies for benefits not covered by the government plan” – Larry Levitt
“Since Medicare-for-all is a buzzword among progressives, many candidates have gotten on board at least with the phrase” – Robert Hockett
Source link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/28/kamala-harris-reverses-answer-abolishing-private-health-insurance-saying-she-misheard-question/
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Sources
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/07/30/kamala-harris-supported-eliminating-private-health-insurance/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2024/07/25/if-you-like-your-health-care-plan-will-kamala-harris-let-you-keep-it/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/kamala-harris-on-health-care/15084363/
From banning fracking to private health insurance, Kamala Harris is no centrist
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/kamala-harris-presidency-mean-us-health-care-abortion-rcna163124
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/28/kamala-harris-reverses-answer-abolishing-private-health-insurance-saying-she-misheard-question/
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/kamalacare-harris-backed-medicare-for-all-and-abolishing-private-insurance/article_a10970a3-4e7c-5a2f-a034-fe0617dbd8bc.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/kamala-harris-walks-back-her-hand-moment-health-insurance-democratic-n1024756
https://www.axios.com/pro/health-care-policy/2024/07/21/kamala-harris-on-health-care
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/politics/harris-private-insurance-medicare/index.html
https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/electioncoverage/111198
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