2020 Dem Eric Swalwell: ‘I would support a bill that would give Medicare to all’

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a 2020 presidential candidate, said Sunday that he supports giving “Medicare to all,” but does not want to see private insurance abolished.

“I support a bill that would give Medicare to all,” Swalwell said on CNN’s “State of the Union. “The part of the bill that I would strike would be to give a public option, the Medicare portion, but allow people to keep plans they like.”

“Employers may offer a better plan,” he added. “I think it’s very much in our DNA to have choice.”

“I support a bill that would give Medicare to all … The part of the bill that I would strike would be to give a public option, the Medicare option, but allow people to keep plans they like,” @RepSwalwell says about health care. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/cnEXbI2RnV

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) April 14, 2019 

Swalwell also stressed that he wanted to invest in researching cures.

{mosads}When asked by host Jake Tapper why he co-sponsored a bill that would “essentially” do away with private insurance, Swalwell said he agreed with parts of the plan. 

“I do agree with the part of having Medicare access for anyone who wants it, because that would drive down the cost… it’s the best bill out there that can do that right now, but being a leader means sitting down a negotiating and finding what works,” he said.

The California lawmaker announced earlier this month that he would be joining the crowded field of Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination.

He has pledged to center his campaign around gun control issues.

Swalwell, who previously announced that he would not seek reelection to the House, leaves behind a California district that is likely to stay in Democratic hands.

–This report was updated at 11:24 a.m.