Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders faced off in Flint, Mich., March 6 for the latest Democratic presidential debate. In the city at the center of a serious lead water poisoning crisis, healthcare was an important topic for the two contenders.
The candidates' remarks on healthcare focused on the water crisis in Flint, as well as the path's each would take to improve or replace the Affordable Care Act.
Here are four key points Sen. Sanders and Ms. Clinton made on healthcare during the debate.
1. What would they do for Flint? Anderson Cooper, CNN news anchor and moderator of the debate, began the night by asking each candidate what they would do for Flint. "Now we've come to Flint because this is a city in crisis, a city where, as you probably know, the tap water is toxic," said Mr. Cooper. "Public servants, public institutions not only failed to prevent the crisis, their decisions created this crisis."
Sen. Sanders was first to respond. While he noted "there's a lot of blame to go around," Sen. Sanders contended Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder "should understand that his dereliction of duty was irresponsible" and that he should resign.
Consistent with the larger theme of his campaign, Sen. Sanders then said the proliferation of millionaires and billionaires around the country has led to further disparity in income and wealth, causing middle class families to suffer. "Among many other things, we need to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, our water systems, our waste water plants, our roads and our bridges. The wealthiest country in the history of the world has got to get its priorities right, take care of the people — no more tax breaks for billionaires."
2. Clinton presses need for federal funds in Flint. Ms. Clinton affirmed Sen. Sanders' point, saying she supports the efforts by Michigan's senators and members of Congress to obtain the necessary federal funding to repair the state's water infrastructure. She added, "I know the state of Michigan has a rainy day fund for emergencies. What is more important than the health and wellbeing of the people, particularly children? It is raining lead in Flint, and the state is derelict in not coming forward with the money that is required."
3. Sen. Sanders advocated again for a single-payer health system to replace President Barack Obama's signature healthcare reform, though he did not dive too deeply into the matter. After claiming the U.S. spends almost three times as much on healthcare than the U.K. and 50 percent more than the French, Sen. Sanders said, "When we talk about Europe and their pluses and minuses, one thing they have done well that we should emulate and that is guaranteed healthcare for all people for a better care for all."
4. Ms. Clinton defended the ACA, pointing out that about 90 percent of the U.S. now has health insurance. "We are going to stay on that and get to 100 percent universal coverage," she said, noting she plans on building on the ACA if elected.