The two candidates shared their thoughts on reproductive rights and Obamacare, solidifying their stance on abortion while offering no concrete health insurance solutions.
On September 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump took the stage for a highly anticipated presidential debate in Philadelphia. The 90-minute discussion touched on several key healthcare issues, including abortion rights and Obamacare.
Abortion rights under the spotlight
During their lively conversation about the highly controversial abortion issue, Trump said that he supports exceptions in abortion laws in situations such as rape, incest, and instances when an abortion would save the life of the pregnant individual.
He praised the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby ending federal control over abortion rights and allowing states to decide on abortion policies.
"Look, this is an issue that's torn our country apart for 52 years," Trump said. "Every legal scholar, every Democrat, every Republican, liberal conservative, they all wanted this issue to be brought back to the states where the people could vote. And that's what happened."
Trump also claimed that Harris' choice for vice president, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, believes that abortion in the ninth month and "execution after birth" is "fine." Something the former President disagrees with.
In her response, Harris emphasized the negative impacts of Trump-era abortion bans and increased travel burdens for women seeking healthcare.
"Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did exactly as he intended," Harris said. "And now in over 20 states, there are Trump abortion bans, which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care."
Another reproductive health issue, in vitro fertilization (IVF), became a heated topic earlier this year after the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled that embryos created during the process are considered children. The ruling led some IVF clinics to pause treatments over legal concerns.
During the heated exchange, Harris questioned Trump's role in the denial of IVF treatments. However, the former President reiterated that he has been "a leader in IVF."
Shortly after the ruling, Alabama policymakers signed a bill protecting IVF clinics from civil and criminal legal action.
Towards the end of the candidate's discussion, Harris reaffirmed her commitment to reinstating Roe v. Wade protections if elected President.
In his response, Trump questioned Harris on whether she would allow abortions in the seventh, eighth, or ninth month of pregnancy under Roe v. Wade.
Stance on Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act
Voters are concerned about the cost and coverage of health insurance, and the two presidential candidates offered few solutions during the debate.
Trump defended his decision to maintain and improve Obamacare despite its flaws, citing the lack of Democratic support for changes and the political challenge of letting it fail.
"I'm not president right now, but if we come up with something, I would only change it if we came up with something that's better and less expensive," Trump said. "And there are concepts and options we have to do that, and you'll be hearing about it in the not-too-distant future."
The former President argued that Vice President Harris supported a 2017 plan to eliminate private insurance and create a government-run healthcare system, then changed course and proposed a strategy that included a private insurance option.
Harris said she supports private healthcare options. However, the focus should be on maintaining and growing the Affordable Care Act. An Act that Harris says has eliminated the ability of insurance companies to deny people with preexisting conditions.
The Vice President also relayed to voters that access to healthcare should be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it.
Drug costs and insulin caps
Drug prices were another subject of discussion among the two candidates. Harris asserted the Biden administration has allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices on behalf of the American people.
"Donald Trump said he was going to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices," Harris said. "He never did. We did, and now we have capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month. Since I've been vice president, we have capped the cost of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000 a year."
According to a KFF report, Trump did enact a volunteer program to lower insulin prices for some individuals on Medicare in 2020. However, in 2022, the Biden administration took steps to cap insulin prices for Medicare patients at $35 per month.
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