‘Medicare for All’ a hot issue in the second Democratic debate

Another 10 Democrats took to the debate stage last night, and health care was once again a big issue. The very first question, to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, set off more than 20 minutes of heated discussion about “Medicare for All.” His response: “Health care in my view is a human right and we have got to pass a Medicare for all single-payer system.” The other candidates ranged in their ideas for getting to a public option: former vice president Joe Biden said his plan would improve upon Obamacare, while others said that a public option would coexist alongside private insurance. Medicare drug negotiation, the opioid crisis and abortion access also came up briefly, but something of note was that every candidate said their health care plan would accommodate undocumented immigrants. “Our country is healthier when everybody is healthier,” South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttiegieg said.