The Biden administration has made student loan forgiveness a priority, with President Joe Biden canceling around $170 billion in student debt for about five million Americans during his time in office.
As the leading Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris appears poised to continue these efforts. She recently announced intentions to tackle medical debt, proposing a plan that would allow federal funds to help alleviate this burden for many Americans.
According to The Washington Post, Harris aims to eliminate medical debt incurred from health providers some Americans may face.
During her vice presidency, Harris collaborated with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to erase medical debt for two million residents. She also advocated for removing medical bills from consumer credit reports through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The White House stated in June that “getting sick or caring for loved ones shouldn’t lead to financial struggle for American families.” They emphasized that medical debt can lead to limited access to loans, higher bankruptcy risks, and barriers to housing and healthcare.
Moreover, Harris expressed support for preventative measures against medical debt, including protecting patients from aggressive debt collection practices.
Voters can expect similar initiatives from Harris as they would with Biden’s student loan forgiveness. At a recent speech in Wisconsin, she remarked, “We envision a future where no teacher struggles under the weight of student loan debt.”
Currently, Harris champions Biden’s SAVE plan, which is intended to lower payments based on income and potentially reduce payments to zero dollars, though it is facing legal challenges awaiting a Supreme Court ruling.
Harris’s other priorities include tackling price gouging in grocery stores, proposing a $6,000 child tax credit, and offering assistance to first-time homebuyers.
The Biden administration has already taken steps to adjust prescription drug costs under Medicare for ten medications. Political science and business professor William F. Hall from Webster University described Harris’s campaign as “superior” in its focus on issues that resonate with middle-class voters.
Additionally, Harris has garnered significant support from union workers in pivotal swing states like Pennsylvania.