Last night, President Biden and former President Donald Trump held the first debate of the 2024 campaign. The candidates touched on a wide range of healthcare issues, including abortion, prescription drug prices, and the elimination of the Affordable Care Act, a move that could potentially harm millions of Americans.
Abortion
Trump took responsibility for ending Roe v. Wade, the landmark legal decision that guaranteed a woman’s right to abortion in America. Since 2022, when Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices overturned the decision, abortions have been banned or restricted in over 20 states, creating serious health risks for millions of women and children across the country.
Biden touted his support for Roe and pledged to restore abortion rights if reelected.
Prescription drug prices
Both candidates took credit for lowering insulin costs for seniors on Medicare.
Although Trump implemented a Medicare pilot project that allowed drugmakers and plans to voluntarily offer one insulin at $35 a month, Biden expanded the policy to include all insulin products, and made it mandatory for all Medicare recipients, through the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act.
After the law was implemented, manufacturers voluntarily lowered the cost for people on private insurance as well. Biden has said he wants to make lower prices available for all Americans.
Affordable Care Act
During the debate, Biden accused Trump of wanting to end the Affordable Care Act, the landmark program that provides healthcare for uninsured Americans and covers people with preexisting conditions.
As President, Trump sought to overturn the program, and has again pledged to end the Affordable Care Act if reelected. If successful, the effects would be enormous, and dramatically impact the lives of more than 20 million Americans who depend on the ACA for their coverage.
Besides these issues, the two candidates also briefly discussed Medicare, drug addiction and recovery, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. All of these issues are immensely important and vital to the health of all Americans. The Healthcare Education Project encourages everyone to vote in the upcoming elections and choose candidates who will protect and expand access to quality healthcare – not restrict it.