Manchin: "We need to stabilize" Medicare before expanding

• House Democrats' $3.5 trillion plan currently includes a provision to expand Medicare to cover hearing, vision and dental health.

What he's saying: "By 2026, you understand the trust fund is going to be insolvent," he told reporters as he left the Capitol on Thursday.

• "I want to make sure we are stabilizing what we have before we start going down this expansion role."

The big picture: Senate Democrats have not introduced their version of the spending bill, though Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has thrown his support behind the plan.

• Disagreements remain on key issues including clean energy and how to pay for the bill, per The Hill.
• Manchin is privately saying he thinks Congress should take a "strategic pause" until 2022 before voting on the $3.5 trillion social spending package.

Worth noting: Moderate Democrats like Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) have said they prioritize shoring up the ACA before expanding Medicare, according to the Washington Post.