Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is recovering after having stents placed in an artery this week, is using the experience in a fundraising mailing while calling for Medicare for All healthcare plans.
"I am feeling good, and am fortunate to have good health care and great doctors and nurses helping me recover," Sanders said in the mailing, echoing comments he made on his Facebook page Thursday. "I am looking forward to sharing our vision for transforming this country at the next debate on October 15."
Millions of Americans are not as lucky, he said, as there are some 87 million "who are uninsured or underinsured," and he finds that "unacceptable," as Americans are "spending almost twice as much as any other country" but seeing their life expectancy decline.
"We give tax breaks to billionaires and large corporations while people are dying because they can't afford to get to a doctor or buy the medicine they need," said Sanders.
He added that in his opinion, "it is long past time that we end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on Earth that does not guarantee health care to all its citizens."
Sanders, 78, does not have a history of heart issues, but during a campaign event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, he experienced chest discomfort. Doctors ended up placing two stents to open a blocked artery, according to reports.
Sanders plans to participate in the Oct. 15 Democratic presidential debate, according to campaign spokeswoman Sarah Ford, but beyond that, it has not been made clear when he'll resume actively campaigning.