Joe Rogan Experience #1330 - Bernie Sanders

TL;DR

The United States is the only major country that does not guarantee health care as a human right, yet it spends almost twice as much per capita as nations like Canada, which spends about half. The proposed fix expands Medicare, which began in 1965, from age 65 to everyone over four years while adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits.

Transcript

and we're live hello bernie how are you joe wonderful pleasure to meet you nice to meet you it's exciting to have you here man and it's uh obviously an exciting time for you um you know presidential campaign is up in full swing do you uh do you get frustrated by the the time constraints of the debates ah absolutely it's you shouldn't even call them... Read More

Key Insights

• The United States is the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people as a human right, and it still spends almost twice as much per capita on health care as other nations do.
• Canada guarantees health care to all its people, charges zero for major heart surgery with a month-long hospital stay, and spends roughly one half of what the United States spends per capita.
• Medicare was started by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, and 19 million elderly people signed up in its first year despite the far less advanced technology available at that time.
• The plan expands Medicare eligibility from age 65 to everyone over a four-year period and adds benefits for dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses, which is presented as a modest rather than radical change.
• Drug companies alone spent four and a half billion dollars over 20 years on lobbying and campaign contributions, giving them enormous political power that politicians fear when reform is proposed.
• The United States is the only country that does not negotiate with drug companies, meaning they can charge any price they want, which is tied to the absence of a national health care program.
• In 2016, drug companies spent 131 million dollars to defeat a single California ballot item, led by nurses, aimed at controlling the cost of prescription drugs in that one state.
• Political debates function like reality TV shows that reward sound bites, because complex issues such as health care in America cannot honestly be explained by anyone in 45 seconds.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are televised presidential debates criticized in this conversation?

Debates are described as resembling reality TV shows where candidates must produce sound bites rather than thoughtful answers. The complexity of health care in America cannot be explained in 45 seconds, and giving a thoughtful answer is seen as less appealing to the media than yelling or doing something dramatic. The DNC faces a difficult position with 20 plus candidates, wanting to give everyone a fair shot, but the format discourages serious discussion of complicated national issues.

Q: How do other countries give candidates time to explain their positions?

In other countries, candidates who win their party's nomination for the general election are given a certain amount of free hours on television to use as they wish, such as a 15-minute discourse on a single topic. In the UK Labour Party example given, a candidate might receive 30 minutes to speak on health care without commercial interruption. This is required by law, giving candidates the opportunity to speak at length to the country's people rather than buying air time as Ross Perot did.

Q: What are the common misconceptions about Bernie Sanders discussed here?

A knee-jerk conservative reaction assumes a democratic socialist is going to take people's money. Other misconceptions include being compared to Maduro, being labeled a dictator, and being accused of loving dictatorships. The response is that the actual campaign positions are not terribly radical and exist in many countries around the world. For example, the idea that health care is a human right rather than a privilege is presented as a mainstream position, not a radical one.

Q: How much does the United States spend on health care compared to Canada?

The United States is the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people as a human right, and it spends almost twice as much per capita on health care. Canada, by contrast, guarantees care to all its people, lets patients see any doctor without taking out a wallet, and charges zero for major heart surgery involving a month in the hospital. Canada spends roughly one half of what the United States spends per capita, while the quality of care is rated as good or better.

Q: What is the proposed plan to expand Medicare?

The plan takes the existing Medicare program, started by Lyndon Johnson in 1965, and expands eligibility over a four-year period. Today eligibility begins at age 65, and the proposal would lower it in stages to 55, 45, 35, and eventually everyone. It would also expand benefits to include dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses. This is presented as a modest expansion of a popular existing program rather than a radical new system.

Q: Why does the United States pay so much more for prescription drugs?

The United States is the only country in the world that does not negotiate with drug companies, so they can charge any price they want, which is tied to the lack of a national health care program where Medicare does not negotiate. Drug companies are described as engaging in collusion and price fixing. As an example, insulin bought in Windsor, Ontario cost one tenth, or 10 percent, of the price charged in America for the same exact product.

Q: How much money do drug companies spend to influence policy?

Over the last 20 years, drug companies alone spent four and a half billion dollars on lobbying and campaign contributions. In 2016, drug companies spent 131 million dollars to defeat a single ballot item in California, led by nurses, that aimed to control the cost of prescription drugs in just one state. The top 10 drug companies made 69 billion dollars in the last year cited, illustrating the scale of money and power behind resistance to reform.

Q: Can a Medicare expansion realistically be implemented in four years?

The argument for feasibility points back to 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson implemented Medicare without today's technology and 19 million elderly people signed up in the first year. If a brand new program could enroll 19 million people with technology far behind current capabilities, then simply expanding that existing program over a four-year period is not seen as such a difficult operation. The idea of health care as a human right traces back through Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, and Kennedy.

Summary

This video features Bernie Sanders discussing various topics including the time constraints of debates, the complexity of healthcare, media responsibility, the influence of money in politics, healthcare as a human right, tax loopholes for corporations, student debt, and gun control.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do the time constraints of the debates frustrate Bernie Sanders?

Yes, Bernie finds the time constraints frustrating as he believes the debates are more like reality TV shows and don't allow candidates to fully explain complex issues.

Q: Why are the debates structured with such time limitations?

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is facing the challenge of accommodating over 20 candidates while trying to give everyone a fair opportunity. However, Bernie believes there should be alternative approaches to allow for more in-depth discussions.

Q: What is the impact of time constraints on candidates and the American people?

According to Bernie, the time constraints push candidates to come up with catchy sound bites instead of providing thoughtful answers. This focus on sensationalism rather than substance is detrimental to both candidates and the American people.

Q: How can the media's emphasis on sound bites be addressed?

Bernie suggests that other countries, like the UK, allocate a certain amount of television time for candidates to use as they see fit. This approach allows for more substantial discussions and prevents the need for sound bites.

Q: Could the US implement a similar system to allow candidates more time for in-depth discussions on television?

Bernie acknowledges that it would require legislation to enforce such a system. However, he believes that given the prevalence of the internet and online platforms, television is not the sole medium for political discourse.

Q: What are some misconceptions about Bernie Sanders?

One misconception is that Bernie wants to take people's money and is in favor of dictatorships like that of Maduro. However, he clarifies that his proposals, such as healthcare as a human right, are not radical and exist in many countries around the world.

Q: Why does Bernie think healthcare is a human right?

Bernie argues that the US is the only major country without a guarantee of healthcare for all citizens. Despite spending more per capita on healthcare, the system prioritizes profits for drug and insurance companies over providing quality care. He cites Canada as an example of a country with lower healthcare costs and a system that guarantees care to all.

Q: How can healthcare for all be implemented within four years?

Bernie believes that building upon the existing Medicare program is feasible. He proposes expanding Medicare eligibility incrementally over four years while also adding benefits such as dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.

Q: What challenges does Bernie anticipate when implementing healthcare for all?

Bernie acknowledges that it will be a significant endeavor but draws parallels to the successful implementation of Medicare in 1965. He believes that as long as there is collective support and mobilization, expanding healthcare access can be achieved within a four-year period.

Q: Why do pharmaceutical companies spend significant amounts on lobbying and campaign contributions?

Bernie explains that pharmaceutical companies aim to protect their profit-making interests. Over the past 20 years, drug companies alone have spent billions on lobbying and campaign contributions to ensure regulations and policies favor their financial gains.

Q: Can tax loopholes for corporations be stopped?

Bernie believes that corporations' ability to avoid taxes is enabled by their immense lobbying power and influence. He advocates for closing these loopholes and points out the significant amounts of wealth inequality in the US.

Q: Why is there a prevalent negative perception of lobbyists?

Bernie highlights the influence of money in politics, where billionaires and corporate interests have significant control over politicians' decisions. Lobbyism is seen as a way for the wealthy to further their agenda, often to the detriment of regular people.

Q: How would Bernie stop corporations from avoiding taxes?

Bernie proposes imposing a small tax on Wall Street speculation, which could generate significant revenue. By doing so, he aims to prevent corporations from evading taxes and use the funds to finance initiatives such as free education.

Q: What is Bernie's plan for making higher education more affordable?

Bernie advocates for tuition-free public colleges and universities, which would be achieved through additional taxes on Wall Street speculation. He also proposes canceling all student debt, estimating this to cost $2.2 trillion over a 10-year period.

Q: Why is student loan debt a significant issue?

Bernie highlights the burdensome impact of student loan debt on individuals and society as a whole. Many young people and adults alike struggle with debt, hindering their ability to start families, buy homes, or pursue other financial goals.

Q: How can mass shootings be addressed?

Bernie acknowledges the complexity of the issue and doesn't claim to have a perfect solution. However, he supports expanding background checks, implementing universal background checks for all gun sales, and banning assault weapons. He also emphasizes the need for strong licensing procedures for assault weapon ownership.

Q: How does Bernie address concerns of legal gun owners who feel their rights could be infringed upon?

Bernie recognizes the attachment to guns among legal gun owners in rural areas. However, he believes in implementing stronger background checks and licensing procedures for assault weapons while maintaining the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Takeaways

Bernie Sanders expresses frustration with the time constraints of debates, emphasizing the need for substantive discussions on complex issues. He advocates for healthcare as a human right, tax reforms to address income inequality, cancellation of student debt, and sensible gun control measures. Bernie believes that change can be achieved when ordinary people stand together and fight against the power of money in politics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Televised debates are criticized as reality-TV-style formats that force candidates into sound bites, since complex issues like American health care cannot be explained in 45 seconds. Other countries, such as the UK, give candidates free blocks of television time, up to 30 minutes, to speak at length without commercial interruption.

• Health care is framed as a human right rather than a privilege, an idea traced back through Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, and Kennedy. The United States is the only major country that does not guarantee care to all, yet it spends almost twice as much per capita as countries like Canada.

• The proposal expands the existing Medicare program, launched in 1965, from age 65 to cover everyone over four years while adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits. The main obstacle is the power of money, with drug companies spending billions on lobbying and any price they choose.