Krugman: Did Warren Pass the Medicare Test? I Think So

[highplainsdem]

39. Krugman admits Warren's numbers are questionable and that MFA won't pass. But he

likes Warren so he's very kind in his analysis. However:

Experts will argue for months whether she’s being too optimistic — whether her cost estimates are too low and her revenue estimates too high, whether we can really do this without middle-class tax hikes. You might say that time will tell, but it probably won’t: Even if Warren becomes president, and Dems take the Senate too, it’s very unlikely that Medicare for all will happen any time soon.

-snip-

So what has Warren achieved here? Realistically, her health care plan is more aspirational than her other plans. Enhanced financial regulation and universal child care are things she might well be able to accomplish if she not only wins, but wins big, next year. Medicare for All, not so much. And may I say, it would serve the public well if these topics — plus climate change! — got more attention in future debates, and health care a bit less.

Warren’s task was, instead, to counter criticism that she was being evasive on a big issue. I think she has met that challenge.

Basically, he gives her an A for effort in her homework exercise, and suggests she talk less about health care since she isn't going to be able to get MFA.