Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders has made health care a major part of his agenda, vowing to implement a Medicare for All system if he wins the election.
However, Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in an interview with HuffPost that Sanders might not be able to get such legislation passed through Congress.
“A president can’t wave a magic wand and pass any legislation they want,” she said, adding, “The worst-case scenario? We compromise deeply, and we end up getting a public option. Is that a nightmare? I don’t think so.”
However, she said that a compromise would not be the preferred outcome when it comes to overhauling the country’s health care system.
Typically, bills require a supermajority, or 60 votes, to pass the Senate. But a process known as budget reconciliation allows senators to pass legislation without the threat of a filibuster so long as it meets specific budgetary requirements.
Senate Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to pass the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Last year, Sanders said he would use budget reconciliation to get his Medicare for All plan passed through the Senate with 51 votes.
While Sanders believes he has figured out how to get the bill passed in the Senate, it’s unclear if there would be enough House Democrats willing to vote for such a bill.
In January, Ocasio-Cortez noted that Democratic leadership in the House has refused to hold a floor vote on a Medicare for All bill.
