Trump-Biden Trade Barbs Over Obamacare In Opening Of Presidential Debate

The 2020 presidential debate opened with fireworks over Obamacare, with President Trump ducking a question on a "comprehensive replacement" by pointing to half-measures and former Vice President Joseph R. Biden insisting he wants to expand the law instead of upending private insurance.

Mr. Biden, the Democratic nominee, chafed at Mr. Trump's claim he is seeking a "socialist" takeover of health care, saying he will call the shots. He wants expanded subsidies and a "public option."

"The party is me," Mr. Biden said in Cleveland. "Right now, I am the Democratic Party right now."

"You just lost the left!" Mr. Trump said, sensing his rival is boxed in by his own party.

Mr. Trump, meanwhile, avoided a direct question from moderator Chris Wallace about a comprehensive replacement. The GOP tried and failed to replace the 2010 health law three years ago.

The president said he zeroed out the most onerous part, the individual mandate to hold insurance, and is taking other measures on health care, such as aligning drug prices under Medicare with what other nations pay.

The vice president said Mr. Trump is not able to address the nitty-gritty of replacing the law.

"He is not for any health — for people needing health care," Mr. Biden said. He also said Mr. Trump already forced people off employer-based care, blaming the president for the coronavirus recession.

"He has never offered a plan," Mr. Biden said.