California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris claimed during a fundraiser this weekend that she “has not been comfortable” with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Medicare-for-all plan, despite cosponsoring the legislation last year.
“I believe in capitalism, but capitalism is not working for most people,” Harris assured a group of wealthy donors during a series of fundraisers in the Hamptons.
Harris also attempted to clarify her position on health care, stating, “I have not been comfortable with Bernie’s plan” and insisting that her own plan would not get rid of private insurance.
However, despite claiming now that she is uncomfortable with the Medicare-for-all proposal, Harris cosponsored the 2018 version of the legislation. Other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, also signed their names onto Sanders’ plan.
Kamala Harris went to the Hamptons with huge donors and criticized @BernieSanders’ Medicare for All plan…the plan she co-sponsored. You can’t make this up. https://t.co/5rVlaqWwR5 pic.twitter.com/ZH3MAPDcph
— David Sirota (@davidsirota) August 19, 2019
Harris released her own health care plan after the first Democratic debate, wherein she seemingly walked back her support for eliminating private insurance. Instead, Harris’ plan requires private insurers to adhere to the “strict Medicare requirements on costs and benefits.” (RELATED: Kamala Harris Uses New Health Care Plan To Attack Bernie)
Harris’ plan also includes a 10-year phase in process, as opposed to Sanders’ 4-year phase in.