President Joe Biden joined forces with former political opponent Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to strongly criticize Republicans over the issue of prescription drug costs.
The White House hosted an event with healthcare advocates, where the independent U.S. senator joined President Biden. The focus of the event was on reducing the costs of inhalers to $35 a month and discussing Democratic initiatives to enhance healthcare accessibility.
“Bernie, we have been battling this issue for a quarter of a century. Finally, finally, we have triumphed over Big Pharma,” exclaimed Biden, proudly highlighting the actions taken by Democrats in Congress to limit the price of insulin for senior citizens and grant Medicare the authority to negotiate lower drug prices.
According to Biden, Bernie played a pivotal role in getting the bill passed. He expressed his surprise at the fact that not a single Republican in Congress voted in favor of it.
The Biden reelection campaign made this appearance as part of their efforts to highlight the differences between their health care agenda and that of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, implemented during the Obama-era, if he is reelected.
“They are eager to ‘terminate’ the Affordable Care Act,” Biden remarked with a touch of irony. “I find it fascinating how they use the word ‘terminate,’ just as my predecessor did, as if millions of Americans losing their health insurance is something to celebrate.”
Sanders’ public display of support for Biden has the potential to resonate with progressives and younger Americans. Biden’s unwavering support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas has caused discontent among these groups, leading to a decline in support for him during Democratic primaries in crucial swing states.
Sanders has consistently advocated for a national healthcare plan called Medicare-for-All, which aims to ensure healthcare coverage for all Americans. This proposal has been a central aspect of both of the Vermont lawmaker’s presidential campaigns.
During the event with Sanders, Biden aimed to highlight the steps he has taken, in collaboration with congressional Democrats, to reduce the prices of prescription drugs. As the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Sanders played a crucial role in these efforts. The president’s current focus is on advocating for a $2,000 cap on drug expenses, as well as making $35 insulin accessible to all Americans, regardless of age.
Biden expressed his gratitude for Bernie’s assistance in highlighting the importance of healthcare as a fundamental right rather than a privilege in America.
