Exclusive: Sanders pushes Senate Dems to go big on health care deal

"Sanders wants the Democratic proposal to extend the ACA tax credits, repeal $1 trillion in GOP health care cuts, expand Medicare and lower prescription drug prices, he said in a letter to colleagues late Monday. Republicans, however, have signaled that any deal to extend the tax credits must be short term and require reforms. Premiums will more than double for millions of ACA enrollees next year if Congress does not renew enhanced marketplace subsidies by year's end, according to a new analysis."

"Sanders, the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said Democrats must make proposals that address "systemic deficiencies." "We should not be defending a system which is not only, by far, the most expensive in the world, but one which numerous international studies describe as one of the worst," Sanders wrote to Democratic senators. Sanders' HELP committee is expected to be involved in negotiations with Republicans over a potential bipartisan deal to extend the credits next month."

Senator Bernie Sanders urged Democrats to extend enhanced ACA tax credits, repeal $1 trillion in GOP health-care cuts, expand Medicare, and lower prescription drug prices while pursuing systemic reforms. Republicans indicated any extension of the tax credits should be short term and include reforms. A new analysis finds premiums could more than double for millions of ACA enrollees next year if enhanced marketplace subsidies are not renewed. Sanders' HELP committee will be involved in negotiations over a potential bipartisan extension. Senate Democrats plan a caucus-backed bill. Sanders acknowledged Medicare For All lacks majority support but proposed reforms, primary care investments, and limits on buybacks and CEO pay.

Read at Axios