Democratic platform favors slate of smaller goals over a health overhaul

WASHINGTON — Gone are the days when Democrats bickered over wholesale reform of the American health care system — including Vice President Harris herself during the 2020 campaign cycle. 

Instead, their plan this election cycle evokes President Biden’s slogan to “finish the job” — even though they’re running a new candidate. With the notable exception of calling to erase medical debt by working with states, Democrats are largely eyeing marginal extensions or reinstatements of their prior policy achievements. 

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The Democrats’ platform, released Monday, is six times the length of Republicans’ brief 16-page policy plan. The most impactful proposals require cooperation from Congress, which may not be decided in Democrats’ favor, even if they are able to maintain the White House. 

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