Ex-Obama spokesman ‘not sure’ about Sanders healthcare debate

A former National Security Council spokesman in the Obama administration on Thursday questioned whether a coming health care matchup between Republican and Democratic senators is “the debate we want right now.”

Tommy Vietor suggested the presence of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the debate could turn it into an argument over the merits of ObamaCare repeal versus a single-payer health-care system, which Sanders advocates. 

“I’m not sure single payer vs Graham-Cassidy is the debate we want right now,” Vietor, a co-host of the “Pod Save America” podcast, tweeted.

I’m not sure single payer vs Graham-Cassidy is the debate we want right now. https://t.co/toBHvusHug

— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) September 21, 2017

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CNN announced Thursday it would hold a town hall-style debate over the new GOP bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Sanders and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), opponents of the new health-care bill, will debate its co-sponsors, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). CNN anchor Jake Tapper and chief political correspondent Dana Bash will moderate the debate.

Sanders recently unveiled a single-payer health-care bill, something Graham has seized on when selling his ObamaCare repeal legislation. He’s told Republicans they must choose between federalism and socialism.

The debate is scheduled to take place days before Republicans hope to put the bill, which would dismantle much of ObamaCare and convert its funding to block grants, to a vote on the Senate floor. It also follows Sanders’s introduction of his “Medicare for all” bill last week.

The new legislation has been criticized by many top medical and patient groups, and Republicans have yet to lock down the votes needed to pass the bill.

– This story was updated on Sept. 22.