Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), minority leader of the House, disassociated Democrats from tax hikes promised under the single-payer healthcare proposal of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), according to The Hill.
"We're not running on any platform of raising taxes," Rep. Pelosi said Wednesday, according to The Hill. "We do want to have a fairer tax system, and … we hope that we can do that this year."
Sen. Sanders confirmed loud and clear at a Democratic town hall Monday his healthcare plan would require tax increases, but he called it disingenuous to call his proposal one of the biggest tax hikes in history because private health insurance premiums will be eliminated, which will ultimately save households money.
Rep. Pelosi noted Wednesday she has supported a single-payer healthcare system for decades, but the reality of our healthcare system and the political environment makes that plan not possible, according to the report.
"We have a very realistic plan that's out there," she said, according to The Hill. "Can it be improved upon? Everything can. But it's no use having a conversation about something that's not going to happen. Right now we're proud of what we have and want to build upon that."
Rep. Pelosi has not endorsed a candidate. Though she has previously voiced support of having a woman in the White House, she also acknowledged some positive aspects to Sen. Sanders' campaign.
"The fact is that Bernie Sanders is enlarging the universe of people who are paying attention to the election, and we hope that he will bring them to the polls in November to support the Democratic nominee," she said.
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