Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed repeatedly sidestepped a direct question Thursday about whether he would support a universal health care plan that did not cover gender transition treatments for minors.
The exchange took place during an interview with “Breaking Points” host Saagar Enjeti, who shared video of the moment online.
Enjeti noted that El-Sayed, who is running against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, has been an outspoken advocate for government-run health care. He then asked whether the Democrat would accept a universal health care plan that excluded gender-related hormones and surgeries for minors.
El-Sayed did not give a yes or no answer. Instead, he cast the issue as a question of individual rights and the role of government, asking, “What is government for?”
He went on to suggest that government restrictions on gender transition treatments for minors amounted to “tyranny.”
“Rights are rights are rights are rights,” El-Sayed said, arguing that health care decisions should be left to patients and their doctors, along with parents for those under 18.
He also compared his position to Republican support for “right to try” laws, which allow terminally ill patients to access experimental treatments.
Enjeti pressed further, pointing out that El-Sayed still had not answered the question. He also noted that several countries with socialized health care systems, as well as some Democrats in Congress, have pulled back from supporting gender treatments for minors.
El-Sayed again declined to answer directly. Instead, he accused Enjeti of being more focused on whether certain people would receive care than on whether people had access to health care at all.
Enjeti pushed back, insisting he did want everyone to have health care, but El-Sayed continued to talk over him.
The host then asked El-Sayed whether he would represent all Michiganders or only the activist class. El-Sayed returned to his argument about the purpose of government.
“Government should be about protecting your rights and fighting for your basic needs,” he said.
It is not the first time El-Sayed has faced criticism over his handling of the issue. In August, during an interview on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” he responded to a question about sex-change procedures for minors by asking Watters whether he was circumcised, drawing a comparison between the two procedures. The exchange sparked a wave of backlash from conservatives.
El-Sayed has previously argued that gender transition care for minors should be covered under a single-payer system.
Public opinion on the issue leans heavily against him. A Pew Research Center survey found that 56% of Americans support banning minors from receiving transition-related medical care.
In February, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommended that surgeons delay gender-related breast, genital and facial surgeries until patients reach adulthood.
The Michigan Senate race is among the most closely watched contests in the country. President Donald Trump has endorsed Rogers.
Voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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