Senator Bernie Sanders voiced sharp criticism following a Senate vote on Sunday, expressing deep concern over the decision by eight Democrats to join Republicans in advancing a continuing resolution.
In a video statement, Sanders labeled the vote “a very, very bad vote,” arguing the measure contained provisions that would negatively impact millions of Americans and disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
The core of Sanders’ objection lies in the potential for skyrocketing healthcare costs. He contends the resolution could double, triple, or even quadruple premiums for over 20 million Americans already struggling with the world’s highest healthcare prices.
Beyond premium increases, Sanders warned of a potential rollback in Medicaid coverage, potentially stripping healthcare access from 15 million individuals. He cited studies suggesting such cuts could lead to an estimated 50,000 preventable deaths each year.
Sanders framed the vote as a betrayal of the message sent by voters in recent elections – a clear demand for resistance against policies harmful to working-class families. He believes the outcome directly contradicts that mandate.
The Senator argued the resolution effectively funnels a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest 1%, while simultaneously jeopardizing the health and financial security of ordinary Americans.
Nonpartisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) supports concerns about rising premiums. Their 2023 report indicated that allowing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire would significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for those relying on ACA marketplaces.
Further bolstering Sanders’ claims, research highlighted by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, demonstrates a direct link between loss of Medicaid coverage and increased mortality rates due to reduced access to vital care.
Studies referenced by the committee, published in respected journals like Health Affairs and The Lancet Public Health, estimate tens of thousands of preventable deaths annually could result from large-scale Medicaid cuts.
Sanders has consistently voiced opposition to budget proposals he believes prioritize the interests of the wealthy over the needs of working Americans, a stance he reiterated in his recent statement. He views this vote as a continuation of that pattern.
The Senator concluded by emphasizing the urgent need to protect working-class families and move towards a system where healthcare is a guaranteed right for all Americans, not a privilege.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead, but expressed disappointment that Sunday’s vote represented a step backward in achieving those goals, calling it “not a good night.”
