Much like during the first presidential debate, Pence and Harris argued over the fate of the ACA, the administration's response to the pandemic, and other healthcare-related policies.
Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris squared off over several healthcare topics at the first and only scheduled vice presidential debate Wednesday night.
The debate took place at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and was held two days after President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed Medical Center after testing positive for COVID-19 and spending three nights at the facility.
When asked about transparency regarding Trump's health status, Pence said the President has received great care from doctors at Walter Reed. However, Harris said Biden has been transparent with his health records while Trump has not.
Related: President Trump Discharged From Walter Reed Medical Center After 3-Night Stay for COVID-19
Much like during the first presidential debate, Pence and Harris argued over the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the administration's response to the pandemic, and other healthcare-related policies.
Below are some key healthcare takeaways from the vice presidential debate.
National response to COVID-19
Harris reiterated former Vice President Joe Biden's criticisms of the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 210,000 Americans.
She called the Trump administration's response to the pandemic the "greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country."
Additionally, Harris criticized the administration's lackadaisical response to the virus and said Trump still lacks an effective plan to address the pandemic.
Related: White House Testing Regimen Did Not Protect the President
Pence, who heads the administration's COVID-19 task force, countered that Biden's proposed response to the virus mirrors that of the administration's ongoing efforts.
He said China is "to blame for the coronavirus" and added that Biden was opposed to the administration's decision to ban travel from China early on during the outbreak, which he claimed saved lives.
Additionally, Pence said an example of failure in a pandemic was then-Vice President Biden's response to the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. He also criticized the Obama administration for leaving an empty national stockpile of emergency medical supplies for the Trump administration in 2017.
Where candidates stand on a potential vaccine
Pence echoed Trump's timeline for a potential coronavirus vaccine, mentioning during the debate that "tens of millions of doses" will be available by the end of the year through Operation Warp Speed.
Related: COVID-19 Response, ACA Take Center Stage at First Trump-Biden Presidential Debate
When asked, Harris said she would be "first in line" for an approved coronavirus vaccine if public health officials endorsed the vaccine but said she would not if Trump was the one touting the vaccine.
Pence criticized Harris for remarks that indicated skepticism about the efficacy of a potential coronavirus vaccine, asking her to "stop playing politics with people's lives."
He added that Harris shouldn't "undermine public confidence" in a potential vaccine.
ACA up in the air: 'They're coming for you'
The debate highlighted the continuing differences between the Trump administration and the Biden campaign over the future of ACA.
Harris cited the pending California v. Texas case as an effort by the Trump administration to overturn the ACA.
She also warned Americans with pre-existing conditions and those who have gained healthcare coverage through the landmark law that "they're coming for you."
Harris said COVID-19 might be considered a pre-existing condition in the future, while adding that Biden wants to expand coverage, introduce a public option, and lower the age of Medicare eligibility.
On the other hand, Pence said that the ACA was a "disaster that the American people remember well."
Pence was asked about how the administration would uphold its promise to cover those with pre-existing conditions should the ACA be overturned but did not detail what a potential plan would look like.
He added that the Biden campaign's call for mask mandates in relation to the coronavirus response and "government takeover of healthcare."
Related: Vice President Pence Praises Trump's 'Seamless' COVID Response, Leaves Out His State Feuds
Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.
Photo credit: Manitowoc, Wisconsin / USA - September 21th, 2020: President trump and vice president mike pence supporters and joe biden and kamala harris supporters rallied together outside aluminum foundry. / Editorial credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography / Shutterstock.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The debate took place two days after President Donald Trump was discharged from Walter Reed Medical Center after testing positive for COVID-19 and spending three nights at the facility.
Harris called the Trump administration's response to the pandemic the "greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country."
Pence criticized Harris for remarks that indicated skepticism about the efficacy of a potential coronavirus vaccine, asking her to "stop playing politics with people's lives."