Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie Jr. says he supports universal health care. He just doesn’t think Democrats can afford to run on it.
At a campaign town hall Wednesday in Richlandtown, Harvie — who is challenging five-term Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District — emphasized his traditional Democratic roots. His Irish Catholic grandmother kept a bronze bust of President John F. Kennedy in her bedroom and salt-and-pepper shakers of JFK and Jackie Kennedy Onassis on her kitchen table. His family, Harvie said, “really took it to heart that government service is a noble thing and you should want to get involved.”
But when answering questions from the crowd of about 150 people, Harvie endorsed a more ambitious vision: a national health care system.
“We have the best doctors, the best hospitals and the best researchers — if you can afford it,” Harvie said. “That’s the problem.”
While backing the goal of a national, government-run health care system — often referred to as “socialized medicine” or “Medicare for All” — Harvie warned that the political backlash could hand more victories to Republicans.
“I do not think America is ready for a national healthcare system,” Harvie told the crowd. “There are too many people in this country who are too terrified about what it means for them. I understand the math. I’m just being honest with you.”
“If the Democratic Party makes national health insurance part of its platform, it would lose,” he said.
Harvie cited lingering resistance to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as an example, calling Obamacare “an important step” that “literally kept people alive,” but one that still draws opposition fueled by “the boogeyman, funded by pharmaceutical companies [and] health insurance companies.”
“I want us to get there at some point,” he said. “If there’s a way to make it work, I believe we need it. But pushing hard for it is incredibly difficult and incredibly dangerous. It could lead to more losses for us — and more wins for them.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee called Harvie out for his comments.
“Corrupt Bob Harvie’s true agenda was on full display: Eliminate private health insurance so that health care becomes entirely government-run and corrupt politicians like Harvie can accrue even more power. Bob Harvie is a low-life bottom feeder, and Pennsylvanians want no part of his harmful agenda.”
Harvie’s comments came as part of a wide-ranging event in which he outlined his top priorities: increasing affordable housing, pursuing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, and rolling back the recently passed Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill, which he said will reduce coverage under the ACA.
Fitzpatrick voted against that bill.
Harvie also fielded some tough questions.
A Perkasie woman asked him about Bucks County losing an open-records case to Megan Brock twice, regarding the county’s attempt to withhold information on COVID shutdowns.
Harvie said his administration is transparent, noting that the county began broadcasting meetings and revamped its website. He also argued that Brock was “abusing the right-to-know laws, asking for the same documents” repeatedly, which county lawyers have to redact each time.
“I’d like to see the state legislature abide by that law,” Harvie said.
New Britain resident Donna Shannon asked about his role on the SEPTA board amid its current financial crisis. Harvie said he’s only been on the board for a year and a half, and the board has adopted cost-saving measures.
Another woman asked about an FBI investigation into Falls Township officials when Harvie was a supervisor.
“That was several years ago, and no charges were brought,” Harvie said. Articles appeared in various newspapers, and he was reelected afterward. “That’s not new,” he added.
Trumbauersville resident Wesley Cones told Harvie that Democrats are too nice. “I’m dying for a new approach,” Cones said. “Can we take the gloves off?”
Harvie told the crowd he “runs aggressively,” knocking on doors, attending as many events as possible, and relying on his and his staff’s deep knowledge of Bucks County.
He noted that the race is a “hot seat,” drawing national attention.
“I have won five elections. I’ve never lost an election. I don’t intend to lose this one,” Harvie said.
Two other Democrats — attorney Tracy Hunt and businessman Rob Strickler — are also running in the primary.