Kamala Harris NOT in favor of abolishing private health insurance

[Morphine Prince 109,683]

Miami (CNN)- California Sen. Kamala Harris said Friday that she misinterpreted a question about abolishing private health insurance at Thursday night's 2020 Democratic debate, despite the fact that she raised her hand when asked if she would eliminate it. 

NBC's Lester Holt asked for the 10 candidates on stage to raise their hands if their health care plans would "abolish their private health insurance in favor of a government-run plan?"

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Harris were the only two candidates who put their hands up, but Harris said Friday she does not support getting rid of all private insurance. 

The California Democrat said she misunderstood the question and believed it was about whether she, personally, would give up her private plan in favor of Medicare.

"So, the question was would you be willing to give up your private insurance," Harris said on "CBS This Morning." When a host pointed out that is not how it was asked, Harris said, "That is certainly what I heard."

"I am supportive of a Medicare for All policy, and under a Medicare for All policy, private insurance would certainly exist for supplemental coverage," she added on CBS.

Harris later told MSNBC that she does not support abolishing private insurance. "No, I do not," she said.

"The question was would you give up your private insurance for that option and I said yes," she noted, continuing with her answer about supplemental care.

 

[PunkTheFunk 125,703]

Why does she keep flip flopping on this?

[MasonG 448]

Flip flop flip flop flip flop...

[Morphine Prince 109,683]

What do you all think? Should private insurance be scrapped? 

As far as I know many countries with universal healthcare still have a private sector. 

[Othon 34,299]

The private health insurance industry is a scam that demands we fork over insane amounts of money to line the pockets of health insurance executives and pharmaceutical company CEOs. Abolishing private health insurance and implementing a medicare for all style public healthcare system is a life or death scenario for millions of people. 

So far, Sanders and Warren are the only two who've committed to doing away with it in these debates. 

[MasonG 448]

3 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

What do you all think? Should private insurance be scrapped? 

As far as I know many countries with universal healthcare still have a private sector. 

It will disband itself once the government puts forth a better system. Right now it has no competition so it can set the prices as it sees fit.

But Kamala is lying. She didn't misinterpret the question. She was intentionally trying to appeal to Bernie's base yesterday. But I guess today her advisors convinced her it wasn't a good call.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

What do you all think? Should private insurance be scrapped? 

As far as I know many countries with universal healthcare still have a private sector. 

Does this mean removing private hospitals?

[Sid 6,755]

Private insurance still exists in countries with socialized healthcare, for things like cosmetic or elective surgery, or if someone just wants to stay at a private hospital. Not controversial in the slightest.

[Morphine Prince 109,683]

3 minutes ago, Faysalaaa said:

Does this mean removing private hospitals?

No, private insurance. 

[REALITY 80,166]

I don't know how I entirely feel about the health care issue. I've never been into politics as much as I am right now, but even then I'm still very ignorant about a lot of things. So if someone could please explain to me how it goes, I'd appreciate it.

As of right now, I think what makes the most sense is what Buttigieg said last night—I believe it was him, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Why can't there be a system where the government has  a universal health care initiative,  but also a private sector? If people are fine with their private insurance now, why force them to get on a government run program? That seems like a hassle. If people want  to be apart of that "health care for all" system, they can totally do that and should be able to do that, but why not have the option of doing it?

Again, not trying to start anything, just genuinely curious because honestly that plan makes the most sense to me.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Morphine Prince said:

No, private insurance. 

Oh ok im not sure what that means exactly. In my country we have free health care like medicare for all it does not require any kind of insurance. 

[LateToCult 41,861]

3 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

What do you all think? Should private insurance be scrapped? 

As far as I know many countries with universal healthcare still have a private sector. 

Not entirely. Many people are more than happy with the insurance they have now. Yes, many people want universal healthcare but there should still be an option for people who want to keep their current insurer. Let the healthcare speak for itself.

[Morphine Prince 109,683]

1 minute ago, Faysalaaa said:

Oh ok im not sure what that means exactly. In my country we have free health care like medicare for all it does not require any kind of insurance. 

You seemed to ask if private hospitals and private insurance are tied together. The answer: No. Private hospitals choose to accept different insurances, whether they be private or a government plan like Medicare or Medicaid. 

 

[ladylinners 485]

6 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

What do you all think? Should private insurance be scrapped? 

As far as I know many countries with universal healthcare still have a private sector. 

Sweden is a welfare state but we also have a private sector and you can have a private insurance if you wish. 

Most employers also offer insurance through the company/municipality (if you work for the government). Children are also insured through the school. 

Personally, I do not mind paying higher taxes to have a welfare state. I also have access to private medicare if I need it. For example, my brother-in-law got his back surgery done at a private hospital. I have also gotten vaccinations through the private sectors that the government do not offer. It's more that the private sector complements the welfare system. The private sector also has less waiting times for examinations and so forth. 

1 minute ago, Faysalaaa said:

Does this mean removing private hospitals?

Having universal healthcare does NOT mean removing private hospitals. If you wish you can have your private insurance. Universal healthcare offers healthcare for those who cannot afford insurance, are denied private insurance etc. 

[Morphine Prince 109,683]

16 minutes ago, OG Gaga Stan said:

The private health insurance industry is a scam that demands we fork over insane amounts of money to line the pockets of health insurance executives and pharmaceutical company CEOs. Abolishing private health insurance and implementing a medicare for all style public healthcare system is a life or death scenario for millions of people. 

So far, Sanders and Warren are the only two who've committed to doing away with it in these debates. 

I agree with your first statement but I feel like completely getting rid of it will turn off voters. 

Americans love the idea of having a choice (even if things are not really choices).