Democratic presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speak during a Democratic presidential primary debate Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

NASHUA – Bernie Sanders wants to increase federal spending by at least $20 trillion to fund a mandatory Medicare for All plan, while Joe Biden acknowledges the plan he espouses would likely result in many Americans continuing to go without health insurance.

Though these top-tier Democratic presidential candidates have plenty in common, the approach to health care is a point of strong contention. This was clear during the Thursday debate in Los Angeles.

“I’ve added to the Obamacare plan, the Biden Initiative, which is a public option: Medicare if you want to have Medicare,” Biden said when asked about health care on Thursday.

Biden went on to say his $750 billion strategy would reduce prescription drug prices and lower deductibles. This caused Sanders, who was positioned next to Biden on the stage, to raise his hand.

“Put your hand down for a second, Bernie, OK,” Biden said.

“Just waving to you, Joe,” Sanders retorted.

Biden continued of his public option plan: “It covers everybody. It’s realistic, and, most importantly, it lets you choose what you want to have.”

Biden then added that for those who prefer their current market health care plan: “If you like it, you shouldn’t have Washington dictating to you you cannot keep the plan you have.”

Given an opportunity to respond, Sanders said Biden is supporting the “status quo.”

“The average worker in America, their family makes $60,000 a year. That family is now paying $12,000 a year for health care – 20% of their income,” Sanders asserted.

“Under Medicare for All, that family will be paying $1,200 a year because we’re eliminating the profiteering of the drug companies and the insurance companies,” Sanders added.

Biden returned fire on the projected price tag of Medicare for All.

“It costs $30 trillion over 10 years. Some say it costs $20 trillion. Some say it costs $40 trillion,” Biden said.

“The idea that you’re going to be able to save that person making $60,000 a year on Medicare for All is absolutely preposterous,” the former vice president told Sanders.

Biden then said Sanders would increase personal income taxes to fund Medicare for All, which Sanders acknowledged.

“But, we’re eliminating premiums; we’re eliminating copayments; we’re eliminating deductibles; we’re eliminating all out-of-pocket expenses. And, no family in America will spend more than $200 a year on prescription drugs,” Sanders responded.

As New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation (#FITN) approaches, health care seems likely to remain a topic of discussion.