Former Vice President Joe Biden says that Donald Trump's assault on Obamacare would worsen coronavirus response as states reopen their economies.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee explained that wrecking former President Barack Obama's administration health care law would delay the recovery of Americans from Covid-19.
Biden's statements come as the White House works on a deadline to file a legal brief in support of a lawsuit against the constitutionality of Obamacare.
“They would live their lives caught in a vise between Donald Trump’s twin legacies: his failure to protect the American people from the coronavirus, and his heartless crusade to take health-care protections away from American families,” said Biden. He expressed concern about Covid-19 patients who could lose coverage if Obamacare is judged as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, complications from the pandemic may get categorized as a pre-existing condition.
“Mr. President, drop the lawsuit. Stop trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act,” he added. He later noted that, “If Donald Trump refuses to end his senseless crusade against health coverage, I look forward to ending it for him.”
The coronavirus outbreak has magnified racial disparities in health care. According to the COVID Racial Data Tracker, while Black Americans account for 13% of the US population, they have become 21% of coronavirus deaths when race is idenfitied.
Trump's response
Commenting on Biden's remarks, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh pointed out that Biden’s plan for a public option “is an admission that Obamacare was fatally flawed.”
He clarified that the president “has repeatedly promised to protect people with pre-existing conditions."
Biden went to families who have benefited from the Affordable Care Act in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Thursday.
Trump’s coronavirus response has become the centerpiece of Biden's campaign. He has criticized Trump for the lack of preparation and claims that Trump is deliberately slowing the rate of testing to keep the number of positive tests down.
“That’s what he’s worried about. He’s worried about looking bad,” Biden said.
Biden's chances of winning
Biden leads President Donald Trump by 47% to 38% among registered voters, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey.
Biden has risen out to a 9 point lead on Trump five months before the presidential election. However, the results show the president still has an advantage among voters in terms of discussing the US economy.
Findings confirm Biden leading Trump by 47% to 38% among registered voters, which is up 4 points from his lead in April.
Biden’s lead is attributed to increased support among young and wealthier voters. He consolidated his base, getting a 7 point gain in his approval among Democrats.
Meanwhile, Trump lost support from independents, getting an 11-point drop. However, those independents did not make it to Biden’s column. The 11-point increase went to independents who claimed they are undecided.
The survey asked 800 Americans nationwide and was held from Friday to Monday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Figures suggest Biden is dominating or even with Trump on all critical issues except the economy. Meanwhile, voters favored the president by 44% to 38% when it comes to economic policies.
