Harris's Evolution on Health Care Policy

During her 2019 presidential campaign, Kamala Harris, then a first-term senator from California, co-sponsored the Medicare for All legislation introduced by 16 Senate Democrats in 2017. This ambitious plan aimed to transform the U.S. health care landscape. Initially, she supported eliminating private insurance alongside Medicare for All but later modified her position, suggesting that while she favored Medicare for All, individuals should still have the option of private insurance.

As Joe Biden's running mate in 2020, Harris transitioned to supporting a more limited approach: a “public option.” This plan would offer a government insurance option while maintaining the Affordable Care Act and the existing employer-based health care system. However, the Biden administration did not aggressively pursue this option. Currently, Harris is not fully committing to her 2019 Medicare for All proposal or the public option. Instead, her campaign suggests using tax credits to lower premiums for plans under the Affordable Care Act. According to her domestic policy adviser, Kristine Lucius, these changes reflect "the importance of incremental progress" learned during Harris's time in office.

Additional Health Care Proposals

Regarding medical debt, about 8% of Americans are affected, with a higher prevalence among low-income and sick individuals, according to a 2024 analysis by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Harris's campaign plans to work with states to alleviate medical debt, although specific strategies remain unclear.

Harris is also advocating for cost caps in health care: she aims to limit out-of-pocket expenses for insulin to $35 per month and establish an annual cap of $2,000 on prescription drug costs for all Americans. This initiative builds on existing Biden administration policies that introduced similar changes for Medicare recipients. Additionally, Harris promises to protect Medicare and argues that her tax proposals, which include new taxes targeting wealthy Americans and their investments, would strengthen the program. However, her campaign has not specified how these tax revenues would be used to enhance Medicare.

In 2020, the Biden campaign proposed lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 as part of a gradual expansion of Medicare benefits. However, this idea was not included in any legislation passed during the Democrats' control of Congress from 2021 to 2023. While the Harris campaign has not publicly addressed this issue, it recently unveiled a new proposal advocating for Medicare coverage of long-term home care. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens associated with home health aides and support seniors wishing to stay in their homes, while also easing challenges for caregivers.

Given the precarious position Democrats face, particularly regarding the Senate majority, the Harris campaign may be cautious about committing to more ambitious proposals until after the election outcome becomes clearer.

In conclusion, Harris's health care policy seems to prioritize moderate reforms over sweeping changes, reflecting a strategic adaptation to the current political landscape and the lessons learned throughout her public service.