Bernie Sanders did not allow HHS Nominee Tom Price to bloviate about the benevolence of the American health care system. He shot back at Price’s attempt.
Sanders checked HHS Nominee Tom Price’s junk information on health care in the U.S.
Senator Bernie Sanders, as usual, did not hold back on HHS Nominee Tom Price. He justifiably used Price’s statement to make a much larger point.
“Congressman Price, the United States of America is the only major country on earth that does not guarantee healthcare to all people as a right,” Bernie Sanders said. “Canada does it. Every major country in Europe does it. Do you believe that healthcare is a right of all Americans whether they are rich or they are poor? Should people, because they are American, be able to go to the doctor when they need to? Be able to go into a hospital because they are an American.”
“We are a compassionate society,” Price replied.
“No we are not a compassionate society in terms of our relationship with poor and working people,” Sanders agitatedly interjected. “Our record is worse than virtually any country on the earth. We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any other major country on earth. And half of our senior older workers have nothing set aside for retirement. So I don’t think compared to other countries we are particularly compassionate. But my question is, in Canada, in other countries, all people, have the right to get healthcare. Do you believe we should move in that direction?”
“If you want to talk about other countries’ healthcare systems, there are consequences to the decisions that they’ve made just like there are consequences to the decisions we’ve made. I believe, and I look forward to working with you to make certain that every single American has access to the highest quality healthcare and coverage that is possible.”
“That’s access to,” Sanders replied. “Does that mean that they are guaranteed health care. I have access to buying a 10 million dollar home. I don’t have the money to do that.”
“And that’s why we believe it is appropriate to put in place a system that gives every person the financial feasibility to be able to purchase the coverage they want for themselves and their family. Again not what the government forces you to buy.”
Bernie Sanders was about to pounce but ran out of time. Democrats are using these hearing to contrast progressive ideology with the likely forthcoming oppression.