U.S. Representative Ro Khanna Challenges ABC News Anchor on Medicare for All Viability
During a recent Sunday morning interview on ABC News, anchor Martha Raddatz skeptically questioned the feasibility of Medicare for All, a stance that was met with strong opposition from advocates of a government-run healthcare system. These supporters commended U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna for his firm response.
Khanna, a Democrat from California, discussed the issue with Raddatz shortly after the tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. This incident highlighted the deep-seated anger against the profit-driven health insurance sector, known for its coverage denials and hefty deductibles that obstruct Americans’ access to necessary healthcare services.
The congressman expressed his lack of surprise over the public reaction to the murder, noting that the perpetrator remains unidentified and at large. “It’s shocking what we’re seeing in this country, with people being refused essential cancer treatments,” Khanna remarked.
In the interview, Raddatz referenced a tweet Khanna had shared from Senator Bernie Sanders, which criticized the excessive spending on healthcare administration in the U.S.—between 15-25% of total healthcare expenditures, potentially amounting to $1 trillion annually.
After reading Sanders’ tweet that declared, “‘Healthcare is a human right. We need Medicare for All,'” Raddatz added her own doubt: “That’s not really going to happen, so what would you tell Americans who are currently frustrated?”
Khanna confidently retorted, asserting his belief in the feasibility of Medicare for All. He pointed to a recent interaction where Sanders addressed comments from Elon Musk, whom President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to head the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency. Musk had criticized the high administrative costs of healthcare.
Khanna emphasized that these administrative expenses are significantly higher than the 2% spent by Medicare, leading to worse health outcomes such as lower life expectancy and higher rates of preventable deaths. He also noted the broad public support for Medicare for All, spanning various political ideologies.
A 2020 Gallup poll revealed that 63% of Americans support a single national health plan, including significant portions of Republicans and Independents, as well as 88% of Democrats. Similarly, a 2018 American Barometer survey found that 52% of Republicans favor Medicare for All.
“Finally, after years, Sanders is winning this debate, and we should be moving towards Medicare for All,” Khanna stated, reflecting on Musk’s recent remarks.
Kenneth Zinn, former political director of National Nurses United, questioned Raddatz’s authority to dismiss Medicare for All, which could save $650 billion compared to the current for-profit system according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis. “This is typical of the corporate media trying to stifle the conversation,” Zinn commented.
David Sirota from The Lever praised Khanna for directly challenging the pervasive notion in Washington D.C. that implementing a comprehensive Medicare program for all Americans is unattainable. “The D.C. media keeps saying it can’t be done,” Sirota said. “Ro called them out, which was the correct response. It may not happen immediately, but it is definitely achievable.”
In 2019, Khanna himself criticized “Beltway pundits” for labeling Medicare for All as “unrealistic and too costly,” despite the U.S. spending double per capita on healthcare compared to other nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner supported Khanna’s statements on Sunday, emphasizing the moral and economic imperative for the U.S. to adopt Medicare for All. “As the only developed country without universal healthcare, the current system is both immoral and expensive,” Turner declared.
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