March 17, 2008 1:20PM 

# McCain Joins Anti-Universal Coverage Club 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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It’s official. From the CBS News [story](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/07/60minutes/main3917681.shtml) following Sen. John McCain’s appearance on *60 Minutes*:

> “Senator Clinton says that providing universal healthcare is quote ‘a moral responsibility.’ Do you agree?” \[*60 Minutes* correspondent Scott\] Pelley asked.
> 
> 
> “Well, I think that’s one of the big differences we have about the role of government. If you think that the government should mandate anything to the American people than besides a safety net, and I don’t view it as a safety net. I view Medicare and Medicaid as a safety net,” McCain said. “But to mandate that all Americans are required to do something then that’s just not within the fundamental philosophy that I have about the role of government in America.”

I think that earns him membership in [the club](https://www.cato.org/2007/07/06/the-anti-universal-coverage-club-manifesto/).

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care) 

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