The health care debate Democrats aren't having

• Although drug and insurance companies are Democrats' favorite punching bags, hospital care is the largest driver of U.S. health prices — yet hospitals are left out of Democrats' list of predatory health care companies.

Yes, but: You can't say that hospitals emerged unscathed from last night's debate. A key rationale for Medicare for All — or any public option — is that it lowers health care costs by paying lower rates for hospital and doctor services than private insurance does, which is why providers hate both plans.

Go deeper:

• Think drug costs are bad? Try hospital prices
• Hospital costs are high and all over the place
• Health care's big spending mismatch