Why this heartfelt photo captures an issue that is about to divide America
A heartwarming photo of a baby holding his father’s hand has caused a stir online, and come to define a debate between Democratic candidates vying to become US president.
Steve Bullock, the Governor for Montana who’s thrown his hat in thee ring, shared the photo on Twitter on Tuesday.
“My 12-year-old son Cam had a heart attack the day he was born,” Mr Bullock wrote.
“He was put in a helicopter and rushed to the hospital in Salt Lake City. They read him his last rites.
“Because we had insurance, he’s here with me tonight.”
My 12 year old son Cam had a heart attack the day he was born. He was put in a helicopter and rushed to the hospital in Salt Lake City. They read him his last rites.
Because we had insurance, he’s here with me tonight. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/i39Y9GTTjf— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) July 31, 2019
Affordable healthcare is an issue which has divided the US and is shaping up to be a major issue ahead of the 2020 US Presidential Election.
Mr Bullock’s tweet inflamed those calling for universal healthcare.
“I'm glad your son had insurance,” one man tweeted. “Now we need to make sure everyone else does as well.”
Others suggested without health insurance his child would have died.
“Wow that really is amazing. Now imagine you aren't loaded,” one man tweeted.
Unlike Australia’s Medicare system, efforts to introduce universal healthcare have been bitterly contested in the US.
It is not uncommon to declare bankruptcy in the US due to hugely expensive to medical bills.
Unlike other Democrats, Mr Bullock hasn’t backed fellow candidate Bernie Sanders’s Medicare for All.
He told the Democratic debate on Tuesday night he supports a “public option” and “negotiating drug prices”.
The governor told the ABC in July he wants a system “people can buy in”.
He wasn’t alone in deriding the policy.
Former Maryland Republican John Delaney claimed that a free universal healthcare plan - championed by Bernie Sanders and other major contender Elizabeth Warren - will get Donald Trump reelected.
However, Mr Sanders didn’t back down in showing his support for universal healthcare during the debate.
“Health care is a human right, not a privilege. I believe that. I will fight for that,” Mr Sanders said.
With The Associated Press
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