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The debate unfolded over a period of days, on multiple televised stages in different states. There were no direct clashes between the candidates, no traces of personal animus — but a debate it was, the first vivid disputation over policy in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. The subject, perhaps predictably, was health care. At issue was just how drastically to transform the American system, and how comprehensive the role of government should be. (Burns, 2/20)

Democratic presidential hopeful Cory Booker on Sunday delivered what he called the “hard truth” about Medicare-for-all: It will be difficult to pass, so the party should also ready more incremental changes. His rival Sen. Kamala D. Harris the next day championed the Green New Deal, a sweeping climate proposal — before adding: “Some of it we’ll achieve, some of it we won’t.” (Sullivan and Linskey, 2/19)

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on Tuesday defended her support for “Medicare for all,” saying it is not a socialist idea. "No, no. It’s about providing health care to all people," Harris said in an interview with NBC News's Kasie Hunt after being asked if what she supported was socialism. Harris, a progressive Democratic presidential candidate who has embraced Medicare for all, told NBC that rising costs are making health care unaffordable. (Weixel, 2/19)

Democrats, the many running for president as well as energized members of Congress, are talking big about health care again. Among other things, that means brace yourself for some jargon. Here’s your neighborhood health care nerd to help define some terms. Various proposals are floating around, each of which would change the health care system in distinct ways. Some, like one from Senator Bernie Sanders, would do away with all private health insurance. Some would make small expansions in existing public programs. Some would try to cover all Americans through a mix of different insurance types. (Sanger-Katz, 2/19)