House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) on Friday endorsed efforts to lower the Medicare eligibility age and expand the program, as Democrats try to navigate internal tensions around a progressive push for “Medicare for All.”

During a conference in Denver about the future of the Democratic Party, Jeffries outlined the healthcare legislative priorities Democrats plan to tackle once he takes over as House Speaker in January.

Jeffries said the party must first undo Republican cuts to Medicaid funding and restore the Affordable Care Act’s temporary enhanced premium tax credits that Democrats provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While he stopped short of endorsing Medicare for All, Jeffries said Democrats need to go further than merely restoring what Republicans took.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 19 points 18 hours ago

This is actually a pretty big deal, but not for the reasons it seems.

These are concessions - modern concessions - to the opposition (progressives). While there is no meaningful challenge to him currently, it means he views that as a real possibility. Making early concessions like this can undercut a would-be challenger before it begins.

IOW, our voices are being heard, and he is responding, at least a little bit.

  • source