Interruptions from moderators aside, Senator Elizabeth Warren pushed forward and got her words in where it mattered in tonight’s Democratic debate. One of the issues that clearly meant a lot to her—and Americans in general—is health insurance.
While some candidates (hi, former Representative John Delaney) on the stage took a moderate turn—either in an effort to appeal to Republicans or fiscal conservatives or out of an homage to former President Barack Obama and his version of public care—Senator Warren pressed on the importance of people being able to actually access their life-saving medications. Because as too many Americans know: You can have health insurance and still be in incredible medical debt.
You can, technically, be insured, but also lack resources to actually pay for your medications, make your doctor’s appointments, and cover hospital stays. It’s not just a matter of being covered as a technicality—insurance matters a whole lot less if you, in real life, can barely afford to use it.
You can check out one of the best moments below, where she stresses that Congress has an obligation to act.
Also: These aren’t just hypothetical scenarios to public citizens… Or even to the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts. Ady Barkan, whom the senator referenced as an example, is an incredible health care activist who lives with ALS. You might remember him from when he testified in favor of Medicare-for-all before Congress. You can read an excellent profile on him over at Politico.
And if you want to hear more from Senator Warren, check out our exclusive video interview with her here, where she talks in more detail about what President Warren’s America might look like.