Dive Brief:
- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has evolved her proposed healthcare plans to more closely resemble those of rival Bernie Sanders and his followers.
- Her weekend announcement centered on her intent to push through a “public option” as she has previously floated, which would allow people to enroll in Medicare at age 55, as well as a $40 billion funding boost for community-based health centers to take place over 10 years.
- Perhaps most notably, Clinton announced an ultimate goal of providing "universal, quality, affordable health care to everyone in America," The Hill reported.
Dive Insight:
Clinton's current stance indicates unwavering support for the ACA while hinting at universal coverage in the future, a move targeted at bringing in Sanders' support just as he is expected to concede the nomination following the Democratic National Convention in late July.
Sanders promptly voiced support for the moves after the Saturday announcement. "I congratulate Secretary Clinton for this extraordinary initiative," he was quoted by The Hill. "It will save lives, it will ease suffering and it will improve healthcare in America and it will cut healthcare costs."
The discussion around the public option was further supported Monday by President Obama as he wrote in JAMA that further work is needed to reform the healthcare system. "I think Congress should revisit a public plan to compete alongside private insurers in areas of the country where competition is limited," he wrote.
Clinton has also found a middle ground on meeting Sanders' push for free tuition at public colleges and universities, with her recent proposal to eliminate tuition at public colleges for most in-state families.