‘Medicare for All’ dominates on night one of Democratic debates

Health care was the biggest theme during last night’s second-round Democratic primary debate. Somehow, all roads seemed to lead to the “Medicare for All” health plans proposed by two leading candidates: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Even mention of drug and insurance companies, which usually involves bashing them for high drug prices, focused on Medicare for All — the candidates agreed that such companies are one of the biggest impediments to any universal health coverage system. There was plenty of other back and forth on Medicare for All, though my favorite exchange, which is now also a meme? Former Colo. Gov. John Hickenlooper claimed Sanders’ plans were “radical” and caught him throwing his hands up. “Throw your hands up!” Hickenlooper goaded, to which Sanders clapped back, “I will!” before pointing out that yesterday was also the anniversary of Medicare being signed into law.