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Some contenders now reject ‘Medicare for all’

“Medicare for all” sounded to a substantial number of Americans like a wonderful idea, until they learned more about it. Democratic candidates for president noticed the shift. Now some who backed the proposal initially are altering their rhetoric.

In essence, “Medicare for all” is exactly what the name implies. It would require all Americans to enroll in a government health-care program much like Medicare. Many who liked the idea several months ago were delighted at the idea of “free” government health insurance.

Nothing is ever free, of course. Americans who pay taxes would have to cover the cost of “Medicare for all.”

As more became known about the idea, many people turned against it. They learned “Medicare for all” would permit no private health insurance. And they thought about shortcomings in the current Medicare program — along with the real potential for health care rationing if it becomes mandatory and universal.

Two of the leading contenders, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, continue to promote “Medicare for all.” Backing away would cost them votes from their hard-core socialist bases, they recognize.

Alone among leading Democratic contenders, former Vice President Joe Biden criticized “Medicare for all” from the beginning. It just will not work, he pointed out.

Now, several other candidates are hopping on the bandwagon of critics.

Weaving and bobbing among Democratic candidates will continue, but even with changes over “Medicare for all,” one thing remains constant: Each and every one of the top Democrats favors vastly more control over health care by the federal government.

Doing so would mean higher tax bills — for those who pay taxes — and more limits on health care.

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