Bernie Sanders: The U.S. Is The Only Major Country That Doesn't Guarantee Healthcare To All People

Sen. Bernie Sanders at a recent CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper spotlighted a long-standing issue in American politics: the state of the U.S. healthcare system. Speaking to a mixed crowd of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, Sanders posed a simple question that got a strikingly unified response.

Is the U.S. Healthcare System Working?

"Raise your hand if you think the American healthcare system is working well," Sanders said, turning to the live audience. No one raised their hand. When he asked who thought it was broken, nearly every person in the room raised a hand.

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Sanders then followed up with a broader point: "How many nations, wealthy nations, in the  world, do not guarantee healthcare to all people as a human right? Anybody know the answer? Which country?" The audience answered in unison: "The United States."

According to Sanders, this reality sets the U.S. apart from other developed countries, most of which provide universal healthcare to their citizens.

Millions Without Adequate Coverage

Sanders stated that about 85 million Americans are either uninsured or underinsured—meaning their health plans don't fully meet their medical needs. He also referenced a statistic that 60,000 Americans die each year because they can't get to a doctor in time.

While these numbers are debated depending on how they’re measured, many experts agree that high costs, coverage gaps, and limited access to care are common problems within the current system.

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According to a 2022 report from the Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. ranks last among other high-income countries in healthcare access, equity, and outcomes. Additionally, a Gallup survey found that 38% of Americans skipped medical care in 2022 due to cost concerns, with older adults and lower-income individuals particularly affected.

High Costs, Poor Outcomes

Sanders stated that the U.S. spends more per person on healthcare than any other major country—twice as much per capita. Despite this, the U.S. ranks behind many nations in life expectancy, infant mortality, and overall health outcomes.

Sanders argued that this disconnect is rooted in profit-driven motives. "The insurance companies are making tens of billions of dollars every year denying you coverage," he said, adding that drug companies charge Americans the highest prescription prices in the world.

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A Call for Reform

Sanders tied these problems to what he sees as a deeper issue: the influence of money in politics. He accused both major parties of being affected by lobbying from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, which have spent billions of dollars lobbying Congress over the last two decades.

While Sanders advocates for a Medicare for All system that would replace private insurance with a government-run program, critics argue such a shift would be costly and could disrupt current coverage options for many Americans.

A National Debate Continues

Healthcare reform remains one of the most divisive and debated topics in U.S. politics. While polls show growing support for universal coverage, there is still no clear consensus on how to make it happen—or whether it’s even the right path forward.

Still, Sanders' town hall moment reflects a sentiment shared by many: that the current system is not working for the majority of Americans.

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