GOP Lawmakers Call For Hearings To Discuss Pitfalls Of 'Medicare For All,' But Democrats Shy Away

"Who are you kidding?" asked Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). "Oh sure, we're going to have a hearing on something that you think will destroy the country." Pallone's response was to a letter from Reps. Greg Walden (R-Oregon) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas) asking the committee to address the issue. Meanwhile, some 2020 Democrats are treading carefully when it comes to the controversial issue.

Republicans are pushing leaders of a key House committee to hold a hearing on Medicare for all, but the Democrats aren't taking the bait. Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, ranking member of the Energy & Commerce Committee, and Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, the lead Republican on the health subcommittee, pressed in a letter this week and at a hearing Wednesday to publicly explore the proposal to create a national, government-run health insurance program. (Luhby, 2/6)

Democratic presidential contenders face a dilemma on how far to go in championing “Medicare for all.” Stopping short of Sen. Bernie Sanders’s fully government-run system risks alienating progressives, but embracing the Vermont independent’s bill opens up lines of attack around eliminating the private insurance coverage most people already have. (Sullivan, 2/7)

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