Thread by @axios

WATCH: Axios' @caitlinnowens hosts a conversation on the future of health care affordability with a new Biden administration, featuring former Rep. @GregWalden (R-Ore.) and former CMS administrator and director at @DukeMargolis Mark McClellan.
twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

@caitlinnowens @gregwalden @DukeMargolis Director at @DukeMargolis and former CMS administrator Mark McClellan on the Biden administration’s priorities: The first round of legislation has to focus on more effective vaccination, more effective testing, reopening the economy, giving people the economic support they need.

@caitlinnowens @gregwalden @DukeMargolis Director at @DukeMargolis Mark McClellan: “In the pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of health care complications because people did not get help. We don’t have a strong public health system in this country. We still don’t.”

@caitlinnowens @gregwalden @DukeMargolis Former Rep. @gregwalden (R-Ore.): Living through this pandemic, we’ve learned the importance and practicality of getting health care closer to the patient, specifically with telemedicine. I think it can be both cost effective and so much more convenient.

@caitlinnowens @gregwalden @DukeMargolis .@gregwalden on Congress finding common ground on health care issues: “Putting consumers first and having more affordable health care is not a partisan issue. Never should have been. Shouldn’t be now, it shouldn’t be going forward.”