Klobuchar: If I Was Trump, I Would Expand ObamaCare with a Public Option and Expand Medicare Down to 55

PSAKI: “Happened before. I wanted to ask you a little bit about UnitedHealthcare, the death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, the murder of him. I mean, he is from Minnesota, correct? There has been a response online that I’m just going to characterize as chilling. I just was wondering what you thought about it and how that’s something — there is a great deal of frustration in this country about our health care system, but what is your reaction to all of it?”
Klobuchar: “This is a horrific murder. And the fact that this cold-blooded killer is still out there on the streets somewhere in America is also very chilling. So, my first focus is on that investigation. We have a number of people who work in Minnesota for that company. It’s a very hard thing. That aside, this idea that you would support this killer, I don’t agree with that. I do believe we need more — a reform. So when I hear Donald Trump talk about how he is — you know, doesn’t like the Affordable Care Act, I mean, that is the opposite direction we need to go to reform our health care system. What I would do, I would expand the Affordable Care Act with a public option, something we considered before. It is time to do that, so you have an option that doesn’t involve private insurance companies. I would like to see an expansion of Medicare. That’s another way to do it. At least down to 55. So, if you go down to 55, then you could be a much better health care system. You could continue the work that President Biden already did in bringing down the cost of pharmaceuticals, not just with the insulin cap he put in, which is fantastic, but the work my bill, which is to negotiate prices under Medicare. Donald Trump’s administration is going to have to continue that work. They didn’t get it done when they were in the last time. Democrats pushed this incredible change through, which is saving 9 million seniors now $1.5 billion in just one year for the first 10 drugs. 15 come up next time. 15 come up after that. So I think this promises that were made during these campaigns from Republicans, we’re going to hold them to it. We are happy to find common ground where there’s common ground, but we will stand our ground where we must. That comes to making sure the American people are not screwed by having a bunch of tax cuts for billionaires that are expanded, like happened during the last Trump Administration. They could make it even worse. We don’t think that getting rid of the Affordable Care Act is going to help people when it comes to everyday things. So my view is that we need to stand our ground, but, yes, if there’s a way to find common ground, childcare, housing, things they want to work on, we are more than happy to work with them on that.”
PSAKI: “Senator Klobuchar, the wearer of many hats, I think I can characterize you.”
Klobuchar: “Yes. Can’t wait to see you in these hearings. I hope you come back.”