It seems our esteemed Vice President Kamala Harris has been doing quite the healthcare policy shuffle. Remember when Obama promised, “if you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan?” Buckle up, because Harris’s stance on private insurance might just give you whiplash. Let’s dive into the progressive wonderland of “Kamalacare” and see what’s really on the menu for American healthcare.
The Evolution of Harris’s Healthcare Stance
Kamala Harris has been a vocal supporter of Medicare for All, but her position on private health insurance has been about as consistent as a weather vane in a tornado. In 2019, she boldly declared, “I believe the solution—and I actually feel very strongly about this—is that we need to have Medicare for all. That’s just the bottom line…it is inhumane to make people go through a system where they cannot literally receive the benefit of what medical science can offer because some insurance company has decided it doesn’t meet their bottom line.”
“My son is gone. That’s my fire. I don’t have anything left of him but this fight for him.”
No one should get cut from insurance because they're $20 short. The cost of health care is drowning far too many Americans – it's time we passed Medicare for All. pic.twitter.com/PuOmTsxx0A
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 20, 2019
The Flip-Flop
However, when pressed on whether she would eliminate private insurance, Harris’s stance became murkier than a swamp in Washington. She initially supported abolishing private health insurance but later backtracked, claiming she misheard the question. Her team then introduced “Kamalacare,” a plan that includes a 10-year transition period and allows for private Medicare Advantage-style plans.
“That’s not what I meant,” Harris said, attempting to clarify her position. “It was in the context of saying, ‘let’s get rid of all the bureaucracy, let’s get [rid of] all of the waste.'”
The Progressive Agenda
Beyond healthcare, Harris has positioned herself as a champion of progressive values. She’s a strong advocate for reproductive rights, co-sponsored the Green New Deal, and supports banning fracking. Her policies are expected to significantly increase federal spending, a fact that has critics raising eyebrows and clutching their wallets.
“To truly protect reproductive freedoms, we must restore the protections of Roe,” Harris stated, doubling down on her progressive stance.
The Bottom Line
As we look towards 2024, it’s clear that Harris’s healthcare policies and broader progressive agenda will be under intense scrutiny. While she may build on Biden’s healthcare legacy if elected, her more liberal leanings could push the Democratic platform further left. For conservative voters, this should serve as a wake-up call to the potential reshaping of American healthcare and beyond.
Sources
1. If You Like Your Health Care Plan, Will Kamala Harris Let You Keep It?
2. Here’s where Kamala Harris stands on various health care issues as she campaigns for presidency
3. From banning fracking to private health insurance, Kamala Harris is no centrist
More From Around the Web
DeSantis calls out Harris’ policies:
2019 town hall statements:
@KamalaHarris in 2019 town hall when asked whether her health care solution involved eliminating private insurance companies: “I believe the solution—and I actually feel very strongly about this—is that we need to have Medicare for all.” https://t.co/GmrIKXyPlZ
— Gregg Girvan 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@GreggGirvan) July 27, 2024
