President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in a debate on June 27, marking their first encounter since 2020. This debate was characterized by a lack of interruptions compared to their previous debates. Biden mentioned that his administration had achieved success in beating Medicare, while Trump made several false claims, including suggesting that Democrats support post-birth abortions.
Trump also took credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning abortion policy to the states. Biden, on the other hand, criticized this decision. The debate touched on various topics such as the economy, immigration, and abortion. Biden claimed to have reduced prescription drug costs, specifically mentioning a $15 insulin shot, although the actual cap under the Inflation Reduction Act is $35.
Trump, on the other hand, claimed credit for reducing insulin costs for seniors, but experts point out that his program had limited participation and coverage compared to Biden’s mandatory cap for all Medicare plans. The discussion also touched on healthcare policy, with Trump flip-flopping on his stance regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Regarding abortion, Trump falsely claimed that Democrats support terminating the life of a child up to the ninth month or even after birth. This claim is not supported by facts, as willfully terminating a newborn’s life is illegal in every U.S. state. Democrats generally support abortion up to fetal viability, around 24 weeks, and in cases of fatal fetal anomalies or life-threatening emergencies.
Trump also made misleading statements about immigration and its impact on Social Security. While immigration can potentially help Social Security’s solvency by increasing the worker-to-beneficiary ratio, it is not accurate to say that immigration will destroy Social Security. Additionally, immigrants without legal residency are generally ineligible for federally funded health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Overall, the debate between Biden and Trump covered a range of important topics, including healthcare, immigration, and abortion. Fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact played a crucial role in verifying the claims made by both candidates. It is essential for voters to be well-informed about the issues discussed in debates to make informed decisions at the polls. Supporting journalism that provides in-depth coverage of these topics is crucial for a well-informed electorate.
