President Trump took a shot at Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, declaring at his annual State of the Union address, “We will never let socialism destroy American health care!”
“One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our health care system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans,” he said in a slam of the Independent Vermont senator’s signature health care reform bill, “Medicare for All.”
Trump pledged to “those watching at home” that he would not let it happen.
“Over 130 legislators in this chamber have endorsed legislation that would bankrupt our nation by providing free taxpayer-funded health care to millions of illegal aliens, forcing taxpayers to subsidize free care for anyone in the world who unlawfully crosses our borders,” Trump added.
The president received loud cheers from the Republican side of the aisle when he delivered his applause line, while Democratic lawmakers sat solemnly in their seats and refused to clap — including lawmakers such as Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who doesn’t support Medicare for All.
Three of the leading Democratic candidates for president — Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former Vice President Joe Biden — have said undocumented immigrants should be covered under a government-run health care plan.
“Medicare for All, as I put this together, covers everyone, regardless of immigration status,” Warren said at a health care forum in November.
Trump on Tuesday warned “these proposals would raid the Medicare benefits our seniors depend on while acting as a powerful lure for illegal immigration.”
He asserted this is happening in California and other states where “their systems are totally out of control.”
“If you believe that we should defend American patients and American seniors, then stand with me and pass legislation to prohibit free government health care for illegal immigration,” he said.
A television camera then cut to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), who remained seated, nearly motionless, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was nearby, stood up to applaud.