CNN healthcare debate centers on ACA repeal vs. single-payer system

U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, put their widely different takes on healthcare on display in an Affordable Care Act (ACA)-focused debate on CNN.

The two former presidential candidates found a few areas of agreement, such as the need to lower premiums, deductibles and pharmaceutical prices. But Cruz advocated for “repealing every word” of the law, while Sanders warned a repeal would result in 20 million people losing insurance.

Cruz advocated for more “choices” for patients, citing the ACA’s broken promise of “if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.” He supported the idea of a “50-state marketplace” for insurance, though insurers have shown little interest in the difficult task of forming networks across state lines.

Sanders said the ACA is “far from perfect,” and reiterated his campaign policy of “Medicare for all,” a Canadian-like single-payer healthcare system. Cruz criticized this plan, saying it would inevitably lead to rationing of care and longer waits to see a physician.

Like he did in the first congressional hearing for HHS Secretary nominee Tom Price, Sanders asked Cruz whether he considered healthcare a right. Just like Price, Cruz said he favored “access” to care.

“What is a right is access to healthcare. What is a right is choosing your own doctor,” Cruz said.

“Access to what?” Sanders replied. “You want to buy one of Donald Trump’s mansions? You have access to do that as well. Access doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

According to CNN’s post-debate fact check, both politicians made some false statements. For example, Sanders incorrectly claimed 20 percent of Americans can’t afford their prescription drugs. The real figure is between 5 to 8 percent.

Cruz was wrong on one of his ACA attacks, with CNN citing a Kaiser Family Foundation study against his assertion that the ACA’s employer mandate has led to an increase in part-time employees.