Democrats blocked an attempt to include “Medicare for all” in the party’s 2020 draft platform.
The Democratic National Committee’s platform panel met virtually on Monday to discuss whether the party should incorporate language endorsing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s signature policy in its message to voters before the November general elections.
“If this amendment is controversial, it is due to the distorted hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbying, and political contributions, and political ads that the health insurance industry has put forth,” Sanders delegate Michael Lightly said.
High-profile Sanders supporter Abdul El Sayed echoed Lightly, urging his colleagues to “meet this moment” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The efforts of “Medicare for all” advocates were thwarted by 125 committee members. The amendment to the 80-page draft document, which will be further debated at the national convention next month, received 36 votes in its favor. Another three members abstained from weighing in.
Democrats speaking on behalf of presumptive 2020 nominee Joe Biden said the platform already reflected the healthcare recommendations proposed by the Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force, formed after Sanders dropped out of the White House race.
A second motion to expand the two-term vice president’s public option framework to provide every American child and citizen older than 55 free healthcare insurance was also nixed. That time, 124 members voted against the amendment, 36 voted for it, and five abstained. Another suggestion promising federal help for states, such as California, that want to introduce a single-payer system earned 131 votes against, 36 votes for, and two abstentions.
The current draft underscores the Democratic preference to create universal healthcare insurance coverage by adding a public option to Obamacare. But it also insists the party “welcomes” “Medicare for all” backers.
“Medicare for all” advocates will get another opportunity to influence the platform during the convention from Aug. 17-20. The DNC will ratify the document after consulting its membership online, with voting taking place via email ballot.
