The principal ideological battle in the 2020 primaries was between Medicare for All and Medicare for More. Biden vigorously defended the latter as being more affordable and politically feasible. His families plan, however, rejects Medicare for More in favor of increased Obamacare subsidies. The left is predictably annoyed. What is going on here?
Reality and politics have intruded, as usual. The medical interest groups so strongly opposed to M4A also object, if less vigorously, to M4M. The GOP is also waiting to pounce on anything that looks like a structural change to health care. The medical groups, on the other hand, have no reason whatsoever to campaign against additional subsidies, and it will be hard for Republicans to oppose a bill that doesn’t change the structure of health care–it just makes it more affordable, even for older, more affluent people who typically vote for the GOP out of self-interest.
Given the magnitude of the threat that today’s GOP presents to our political system, you can understand why Biden puts politics ahead of policy. It may not be brave, but it is definitely prudent.