The Democratic Party of Georgia’s candidate for the Senate, Jon Ossoff, became known on Wednesday evening after he criticized Republican Senator David Perdue’s record on health care and the COVID 19 pandemic in a televised debate.
The former investigative journalist told viewers that his rival had “taken care of his own assets” in the midst of the pandemic, while at the same time downplaying the threat of the virus. He also accused Perdue of trying to “end” “protection” for Americans with pre-existing conditions.
Ossoff opened his speech about the incumbent in Savannah, Georgia, last night, saying Perdue’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his record of health care votes attacked the health of Georgians.
“You said COVID-19 was no more lethal than the flu, you said there would be no upward trend in cases,” Ossoff said. “All this time, you were looking after your own assets and your own portfolio. And you voted four times to end protection for pre-existing conditions.
The Democratic challenger added that Perdue’s proposed bill to replace Obamacare, the Protection Act, contains loopholes for insurance companies to block policies for people with pre-existing conditions.
“Can you look into the camera and tell the people in this state why you have voted four times to allow insurance companies to deny us health insurance because we may have diabetes or heart disease or asthma or have cancer in remission? Ossoff added.
A clip containing the statements of the Georgian Democrat has been watched more than 2.7 million times since it was published in social media last night. A tweet of the footage was liked and shared over 20,000 times.
Perdue has denied that he wants to lift the protection of health care for Americans with pre-existing conditions, but has repeatedly opposed the Affordable Care Act, which provides such protection.
Yesterday evening the Republican from Georgia posted on Twitter, saying, “I believe that health insurance should always cover pre-existing conditions. Period. I have sponsored laws to do just that”.
According to recent polls, the race between Ossoff and Perdue is almost neck-and-neck, and there is less than a week left until election day. A survey published on Wednesday by the University of Monmouth found that among registered voters, only 3 percentage points separated the pair – statistically speaking, a draw.
Another poll published Sunday by the University of Georgia showed Ossoff Perdue led by a single percentage point after 46 percent of likely voters in the state told pollsters they would support the Democratic challenger.
Cook Political Report analysts consider the race for the Georgia Senate a “toss-up” race, along with six other close contests for upper chamber seats.
