In South Carolina, the planned debate between Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison was replaced Friday by separate, individual interviews after Harrison insisted Graham take a coronavirus test before a debate but Graham refused. Graham chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is opening confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett today. This is Harrison speaking about healthcare in South Carolina at Friday’s candidate forum.

Jaime Harrison: “I remember just hearing about the coronavirus and cringing, because I knew the impact that it would have here in South Carolina, and particularly on the most vulnerable communities. We live in a state where almost 250,000 people don’t have access to healthcare because we’re one of 12 states that have refused to expand Medicaid. Thirty-eight other states have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and South Carolina has failed to do so. And as a result, four of our rural hospitals in this state have closed.”