'Medicare for All' would be a ‘major disruption,’ says EventShares CIO

Health care was a hot topic at this week’s Democratic presidential debates. And it’s on investors’ minds as well.

“Medicare for All is something that we are watching with pretty heightened interest,” said CIO of EventShares and investment manager Ben Phillips told Yahoo Finance.

Phillips said his concerns about the U.S. health care system have markedly increased in the lead-up to the 2020 election.

“We have 18% of a PLCY in health care innovation, and it’s really a continuation of the things that ACA health care put in place,” Phillips said. “[Medicare for All is] something that would be a major disruption.”

Senator Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All plan has been backed by a number of Democrats, many of whom are his presidential rivals, including: Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Kirsten Gillibrand.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks as Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) looks on during the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on June 26, 2019 in Miami, Florida.  A field of 20 Democratic presidential candidates was split into two groups of 10 for the first debate of the 2020 election, taking place over two nights at Knight Concert Hall of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, hosted by NBC News, MSNBC, and Telemundo. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks as Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) looks on during the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on June 26, 2019 in Miami, Florida. A field of 20 Democratic presidential candidates was split into two groups of 10 for the first debate of the 2020 election, taking place over two nights at Knight Concert Hall of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, hosted by NBC News, MSNBC, and Telemundo. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

But candidates in favor of a major policy overhaul are in the minority.

The “lackluster” response from the majority of Democratic presidential candidates, isn’t necessarily a bad one, said Phillips. He regards their apprehension “as somewhat of a positive from a policy standpoint,” especially in contrast to the more extreme direction in which progressive Democratic candidates have turned since the 2016 election.

Olivia Balsamo is a writer and producer at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @BalsamoOlivia.

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