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Published -
- July 29, 2019
- 8:14 pm
As candidates prepare for the second round of 2020 Democratic primary debates this week, Sen. Kamala Harris has unveiled her health care plan.
CBS News 2020 reporter Stephanie Ramirez and Democratic strategist Zach Friend join CBSN to talk about the plan and how Harris’ opponents are responding.
What is the centerpiece of Senator Harris’ “Healthcare for All” plan?
On Monday, June 29th, Senator Kamala Harris, the former presidential candidate and current senator from California, released her healthcare plan ahead of the upcoming presidential debates. The plan, titled “Healthcare for All,” aims to ensure quality and affordable healthcare for every American.
The centerpiece of her plan is a Medicare-for-All system, which would cover all Americans and eliminate private insurance. Sen. Harris also proposes an “immediate Medicare transition” for those currently uninsured or underinsured, and those who are on private insurance but want to join the Medicare plan. Her plan promises to cover standard medical benefits, such as primary care, hospitalization, and prescription drug costs, with a focus on preventative care.
In addition to the Medicare-for-All system, Sen. Harris’ plan includes several other significant proposals. She wants to eliminate cost-sharing for medical services, which includes copays and deductibles, believing they discourage people from seeking necessary medical attention. The senator also wants to take steps to address the high cost of prescription drugs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and making generics more readily available.
Furthermore, her plan enhances mental health services by including continuous coverage for mental health treatments and the addition of mental health providers in Medicare. Sen. Harris believes that mental health is often ignored in healthcare services so that the plan aims to make significant improvements in this area.
Sen. Harris also addresses some of the healthcare disparities that affect minorities and underrepresented groups. She proposes that healthcare providers expand their services to underserved communities, and she has proposed a “maternal health task force” to address the racial biases that lead to higher maternal mortality rates among African-American women.
The cost of Senator Harris’ Medicare-for-All plan has not been officially calculated, but the senator intends to rely on new taxes that do not impact the middle-class families. When asked in a CNN town hall if she would raise taxes on the middle class to pay for her healthcare plan, Harris replied: “Not on the middle class, but on wealthy individuals and on big corporations, because we know they’re not paying their fair share.”
This plan is undoubtedly ambitious and would face significant fiscal, political, and practical obstacles. However, it shows Sen. Harris’ commitment to providing all Americans with quality healthcare that is both affordable and accessible. It sparks a nationwide conversation on healthcare and represents another step toward comprehensive healthcare reform in the country.
As healthcare is a significant issue for voters in the coming election, this plan’s release could gain significant traction for Senator Harris in the upcoming Democratic debates. The release of her plan also sets a precedent and expectation for the other presidential candidates striving to stand out as potential nominees, which will only help change the conversation on how Americans access their medical needs. As the presidential primaries continue, it will be interesting to see how the other candidates will respond, support or counter the innovative propositions brought by Sen. Harris.
