Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) went after CNN host and debate moderator Jake Tapper for using a "Republican talking point" in one of his questions about Medicare for All during Tuesday's second Democratic debate.
"As the author of the Medicare bill, let me clear up one thing. If people talk about having insurance, there are millions of people who have insurance that can't go to the doctor and where they come out of the hospital, they go bankrupt. Alright? What I am talking about and others up here are talking about is no deductibles and no co-payments and Jake, your question is a Republican talking point. At the end of the day and by the way, and by the way, by the way, the health care industry will be advertising tonight on this program," Sanders said.
"Thank you, senator. Senator Warren, it's your turn," Tapper interjected. "Your time is up."
"They will be advertising tonight with that talking point," Sanders continued.
Sanders appears to have been referring to Tapper bringing up the question of whether candidates would raise taxes on the middle class to pay for the elimination of insurance premiums.
"I want to bring in Congressman O'Rourke on the topic if the middle class should pay higher taxes for the elimination of insurance premiums, what's your response?" Tapper had asked a couple minutes before Sanders pounced.
Sanders has acknowledged Medicare for All will require higher taxes on the middle class but has argued people will, overall, pay less for their health care because they will not have to pay premiums, deductibles, or co-payments.
Earlier this month, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) estimated his Medicare for All proposal would cost up to $40 trillion over 10 years.
The Kaiser Family Foundation found that 58 percent of Americans oppose Medicare for All if told it would eliminate private health insurance plans and 60 percent oppose it if it requires higher taxes.