We wondered about that when this week Stewart challenged the Democratic talking points on the government shutdown: that health costs will rise if COVID-emergency supersized subsidies to health insurance companies aren’t extended.

In an interview with Senator Bernie Sanders, the comedian asked a serious question:

“When the government promises endless funds to insurance companies or private universities without any cost controls — and Trump seems to understand this — prices rise far beyond the rate of inflation. And we have seen it in tuition, we have seen it in pharmaceuticals, and we have seen it in health care. So my question is, will Democrats recognize the poison pill that they have often placed into well-intentioned policy?”

Sanders quickly agreed that current government subsidy programs “are designed to make huge profits for the insurance companies” and can’t be defended. Then he called for replacing them with single-payer, government-run health care.  At least he’s honest that the Obamacare system is broken.

Hey Bernie: maybe we need less government involvement in health care, not more.