On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) officially dropped out of the Democratic nomination for president, making former Vice President Joe Biden the party's presumptive nominee. The following day, in an effort to woo disaffected supporters of his former rival, Biden offered two policy concessions, including lowering the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 60. However, as primary after primary has shown throughout this election, the primary base of support for Sanders has been young voters, and in nearly every state, even ones where Biden defeated Sanders by large margins, voters approve of the senator's Medicare For All plan, according to exit polls. Needless to say, Biden choosing to settle for a Medicare-at-60 half-measure is not likely to win over the youth vote. And given the high popularity of Medicare For All among the Democratic base, again, including in states won by Biden, why is he not going all in on the policy?
Well, first of all, back in October, the process began to create a super PAC supporting Biden, Unite the Country, which was led in part by at least one lobbyist for the health care industry. Also, while he and his PAC have taken no corporate PAC and very little lobbyist money from the eight largest health insurance companies, they have accepted a decent amount from lobbying firms that represent many of these companies. Below is a list of the health insurance companies that are representing by lobbying firms that have given to the Biden campaign.
UnitedHealth Group: Biden has taken $39,501 from lobbying firms -- namely Hogan Lovells ($23,042), Alston & Bird ($13,549), and Squire Patton Boggs ($2,910). Additionally, Unite the Country has received $1,500 from the latter firm.
Centene Corporation: Biden has taken $31,065 from lobbying firms -- namely Wiley Rein LLP ($15,228), Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck ($9,186), Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner ($6,101), and BGR Group ($550).
Cigna: Biden has received $52,726 from lobbying firms -- namely WilmerHale LLP ($51,976) and Invariant LLC ($750).
WellCare: Biden has taken $61,741 from the lobbying firm Cozen O'Connor. Additionally, Unite the Country has received $25,000 from the firm.
Given these numbers, it is apparent as to why Biden is refusing, at least for right now, to not go any further than Medicare-at-60 for a health care policy concession to Sanders supporters. The former Vice President is likely aware of the popularity of Medicare For All among Democratic voters, as well as the fact that young voters are the demographic he has struggled the most with during the primaries. However, as long as he keeps rolling out half-measures like this, and keeps bending to the will of his donors, he may need a miracle to get their votes in the general election.
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