Phillips endorsing ‘Medicare for All’ legislation

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) is endorsing “Medicare for All” legislation — a move likely meant to appeal to progressives.

“As president, my first priority will be ensuring every American has access to affordable, exceptional healthcare,” Phillips said in his announcement. “I believe that Medicare for All is the best way to accomplish that priority.”

In his statement, the Minnesota lawmaker claimed medical debt accounts for 67 percent of U.S. bankruptcies. He noted that when his daughter Pia was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014, he saw the “devastating effects” of the current health insurance system.

Phillips told Politico, who first reported the news, that he isn’t making the decision for campaign reasons. Though, he added, he doesn’t support outlawing all private insurance.

But, the lawmaker continued, companies “will just whither on the vine” in competition with a federal insurance program.

Phillips acknowledged some people may want to keep their private insurance plans, but he argued that “once they see the cost savings and the increased benefits,” he is “confident they will have a change of heart.”

The legislation was originally proposed by Democrat Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.) and Debbie Dingell (Mich.), along with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Under Phillips’s proposed plan, there would be no copayments, deductibles or cost sharing, and the country would transition to the system “by the end of his first term.”

The Minnesota Democrat claimed the country is “already paying enough” for each American to have health care, but the “exact funding strategy and mechanisms for funding” will need to be figured out by Congress.

“Why do all of our peers around the world, developed nations with strong economies, why do they ensure that everybody has healthcare and we can’t?” he said in a video posted online.

Phillips officially announced he was challenging President Biden in the 2024 presidential race in October, after previously signaling he would not do so. He has repeatedly called for a competitive primary instead of Biden running unopposed for the nomination.

While he said he supports Biden, the Democratic presidential hopeful added he is skeptical of his abilities to beat former President Trump.