Biden rolls out new policies in effort to court Sanders supporters

[peoli]

The Biden campaign announced two new policies on Thursday on health care and student debt that are squarely aimed at appealing to supporters of Bernie Sanders, who ended his campaign for the Democratic nomination on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The policies don't go as far as Sanders' platform, but signal that Biden is serious about incorporating elements of his former rival's agenda in an effort to help unify the Democratic Party and defeat President Trump in the general election.

The policy announcements directly reference Sanders and his supporters, noting that they can "take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas."

1. Lower the Medicare age from 65 to 60.

Under Biden's plan, Americans would be able to choose whether to access Medicare benefits when they turn 60.

If not, they would be permitted to remain on their employer's insurance, Biden's "public option," or other plans that they can access through an Affordable Care Act marketplace.

2. Forgive student debt for low-income and middle-class individuals who have attended public colleges and universities.

Specifically, Biden's proposal forgives all undergraduate tuition-related federal student debt from two- and four-year public colleges and universities — as well as private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and private, underfunded Minority-Serving Institution (MSIs).

It would apply to debt-holders earning up to $125,000, with "appropriate phase-outs to avoid a cliff."

This is in addition to Biden's existing student debt proposals, which include an Elizabeth Warren-backed plan to cancel a minimum of $10,000 of student debt per person during the coronavirus crisis.

................

Thank God for Bernie Sanders changing the dialogue of the Democratic Party and for validating the voices of the left. I am so proud of my support for him throughout this process!


...............

https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-bernie-sanders-medicare-student-debt-8541ae75-077b-4752-9b3d-cd149003b9d3.html

[USALiberal]

2. Classy! Nt

[peoli]

6. Hopefully it's just the beginning of the concessions!

Can you say Green New Deal?

[peoli]

10. Don't worry, I WILL KEEP DREAMING

[HarlanPepper]

12. And what if he doesn't do the green new deal?

Will the other policy ideas be dismissed? will there be a purity calculation wherein because he’s not all in on the green new deal the student loan debt and Medicare age change policies don’t matter?

[peoli]

15. I don't expect that he will do a Green New Deal

Joe isn't that liberal. I'm sure he will make positive strides with regard to environmental policies, though in my opinion it won't be enough because I believe that the climate crisis needs to be addressed yesterday.

[msongs]

5. pence demands cnn show entire campaign rallies or else nt

[peoli]

7. Who's making demands?

I'm sure Biden's people are full on taking the pulse of the ENTIRE democratic party which INCLUDES THE FAR LEFT

[peoli]

11. YES! 30% of the party at least!

Don't they matter to you?

[vercetti2021]

13. Thank God for what?

He didn't change anything. It's always been their platform. God why is everybody still treating Bernie like he's a fucking martyr?

[ck4829]

14. I love it

Sometimes I get frustrated with some of the people here, I believe:
A degree of communism would be good.
I love Ilhan Omar and AOC.
I'm against the death penalty in all circumstances.
We could get away with more punitive measures against white nationalism and the far right and we should do them.
Health insurance needs to be abolished.

I'm also a straight-ticket Democratic voter.

A right winger would probably look at me for confirmation bias, but that is who I am.

I was going to vote for Biden anyway. I think this is brilliant though. I think this will energize people who aren't quite as straight-ticket as me.