Biden, Sanders tout progress on lowering health care costs

WASHINGTON (CN) — President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders touted the commander in chief’s efforts to lower the cost of inhalers and health care on Wednesday as the White House continues to highlight Biden’s record for voters.

The event took place as the Biden administration was hammered on all fronts for continued support of Israel after seven aid workers were killed in an airstrike this week. 

Biden did not mention Israel’s war in Gaza during the event, which, while organized as an official White House gathering, felt more like a campaign rally with Sanders as the opening act. 

“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to do,” Biden said. “I am optimistic because the laws we got passed are now coming into effect.”

Sanders has been critical of the Biden administration for not doing enough to cut down health care costs, but still joined Wednesday’s event to celebrate accomplishments. Despite disagreements and misgivings with some of Biden’s policies, Sanders has urged Democrats and progressives to unite behind the president in November.

Sanders focused on the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on prescription drugs. He highlighted a cap of $2,000 a year for drugs under Medicare, a limit of $35 for insulin and several manufacturers reducing the cost for inhalers to $35.

“The American people are tired of being ripped off and paying astronomical prices for the prescription drugs they need to stay alive or to ease their pain,” the senator said.

Biden used the event to reiterate his call from the State of the Union that the yearly Medicare caps for prescription drug costs should be extended to all Americans.

The president also took a few minutes to go after presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress for their stances on abortion, Social Security and the Affordable Care Act.

“All of our progress is in stark contrast to my predecessor and MAGA Republicans in Congress,” he said.

While celebrating some progress on health care costs, Sanders cautioned against complacency. 

“Despite all that we have accomplished up to now, it is not enough,” he said. “Much, much more needs to be done.”

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