Bernie Sanders’ ideas are shaping the 2020 debate – but is he still a force?

The diverse Democratic field is a contrast from 2016 but the leftwing firebrand believes Medicare for All can dent his rivals’ hopes

Gruff, iconoclastic and relentlessly on-message, Bernie Sanders thrilled the progressive left when he ran for president in 2016 and came within striking distance of capturing the Democratic nomination.

Related: Al Franken: senators say they regret calling for his resignation

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Medicare for All: activist dying of ALS testifies via eye movements at hearing

‘My story is tragic but not unique,’ Ady Barkan tells lawmakers as he pushes for healthcare overhaul

Ady Barkan has lost his ability to speak, but he has not lost his voice.

On Tuesday, the 35-year-old lawyer and activist, who is dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, testified at a “historic” Capitol Hill hearing on Medicare for All.

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Trump’s push to repeal Obamacare prompts Republican turmoil – live

“I’ll take the usual please, Donald”:

The Fake News Media is going Crazy! They are suffering a major “breakdown,” have ZERO credibility or respect, & must be thinking about going legit. I have learned to live with Fake News, which has never been more corrupt than it is right now. Someday, I will tell you the secret!

Mexico is doing NOTHING to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants to our Country. They are all talk and no action. Likewise, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have taken our money for years, and do Nothing. The Dems don’t care, such BAD laws. May close the Southern Border!

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the day’s political news.

•Republicans are said to be in turmoil over the Donald Trump’s push for Obamacare to be dismantled in the courts. Vice-president Mike Pence and new attorney general Bill Barr are among the skeptics, according to the New York Times, with concerns that scrapping the Affordable Care Act could be a boon for Democrats in 2020. On Wednesday House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy reportedly told his colleagues that Trump’s push made no sense. McCarthy is holding his weekly press conference at 11.30am, and may elaborate.

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Judge blocks work requirements for Medicaid in Arkansas and Kentucky

Judge strikes blow to Trump administration, citing unresolved obstacles to getting healthcare in the states

A federal judge has ruled that Medicaid work requirements undermine the program’s mission of providing healthcare for the needy, dealing a blow to the Trump administration.

The US district judge James E Boasberg in Washington DC blocked work requirements for low-income people in two states, Arkansas and Kentucky, on Wednesday. He found that the states’ requirements pose numerous obstacles to getting healthcare that have gone unresolved by federal and state officials.

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Trump administration pushes to completely gut Obamacare in dramatic escalation

Government shifts from previous aim to strike down parts of the ACA, endangering healthcare for millions of Americans

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The Trump administration now believes that the entire Affordable Care Act should be struck down, a major shift in the federal government’s position and one that could endanger health coverage for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.

In a letter on Monday night, the justice department said it is n...

Trump renews bid to dismantle Obamacare after claiming Mueller victory – live news

Trump administration supports ruling that would throw out the entire Affordable Care Act. Follow along for the latest in US politics

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1.55pm GMT

A caveat to Barr’s summary is that Muller was authorized to probe links to Russia and not just coordination. Barr did not address the former issue in his summary Sunday

New: Mueller was empowered to probe...

Medicare for All: House Democrats unveil bill to expand healthcare nationwide

Measure to be formally introduced Wednesday signals party’s growing backing for once-fringe idea

House Democrats have unveiled details of their ambitious plan to expand a popular, government-run healthcare program to all Americans. The measure marks a fresh sign of the party’s growing support for a once fringe idea that will play a defining role in the 2020 presidential campaign.

The Medicare for All Act of 2019, to be formally introduced on Wednesday with 107 co-sponsors, woul...

Number of uninsured Americans increases by 7m in four years

Survey results come after Republican attacks on government-backed health programs, including the Affordable Care Act

About 7 million fewer Americans have health insurance today than did four years ago, a new survey has found, the highest uninsured rate since 2014. The results come after sustained Republican attacks on government-backed health schemes, including the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

The survey’s findings come as the public is incre...

Fate of Obama’s health law set to be decided by supreme court – again

Democratic state attorneys pledge to appeal Texas judge’s decision to strike down Affordable Care Act

The future of the Affordable Care Act is once again set to be decided by the US supreme court, amid warnings from experts that healthcare access for millions of Americans hangs in the balance.

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys has vowed to appeal a late-Friday decision by a federal judge in Texas to strike down the entire ACA, also known as Obamacare, as unconstitutional.

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