Former Vice President Joe Biden is waging a two-front fight on health care reform by vowing in his latest presidential campaign proposal to protect the Affordable Care Act from Republicans and Democrats alike. In announcing his plans to shore up Obamacare Monday, Biden equated Republican efforts to repeal the law with plans from other Democratic presidential contenders that would completely overhaul the U.S. health care system and eliminate private health insurance. “I knew the Republicans would do everything in their power to try and repeal Obamacare,” Biden said in an email to supporters Monday. “But I’m surprised that so many Democrats are running on getting rid of it.” “I know how hard it was to get passed,” he added. “Starting over just makes no sense to me.”

SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Biden’s new proposal, which includes plans to expand federal subsidies and create a public option comparable to Medicare, stands as an alternative to the “Medicare for All” system supported by presidential candidates including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). In both the email to supporters and a video uploaded to YouTube on Monday, Biden directly addressed Democratic supporters of Medicare for All, saying he opposes any plan that would overturn former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. “I understand the appeal of Medicare for All,” Biden said in the video. “But folks supporting it should be clear that it means getting rid of Obamacare, and I’m not for that.” Sanders shot back at Biden on Monday morning, noting on Twitter that he “fought to improve and pass Obamacare” and “traveled all over the country to fight the repeal of Obamacare.” “But I will not be deterred from ending the corporate greed that creates dysfunction in our health care system. We must pass Medicare for All,” he added.

I fought to improve and pass Obamacare.



I traveled all over the country to fight the repeal of Obamacare.



But I will not be deterred from ending the corporate greed that creates dysfunction in our health care system. We must pass Medicare for All. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 15, 2019