Story perspectives

Third Way Deploys $15 Million Against Medicare-For-All Candidates, Targets Michigan Winner

8/12/2026

Summary

Third Way Targets

Third Way, a centrist think tank, launched a $15 million campaign to oppose Democratic Party candidates who back Medicare for All, focusing on Dr. Abdul El-Sayed after his Michigan Senate primary win.
President Jonathan Cowan said Third Way is “preparing for war” against candidates such as Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.
Better Solutions for Healthcare (BSFH), which includes AHIP and BlueCross BlueShield, donated $50,000 to Third Way’s advocacy arm in 2024.

Summary

Third Way Opposes

Poll shows 56% of Americans and 77% of Democrats back universal Medicare-for-All.
Third Way’s internal memo argues Medicare for All has failed in Vermont, Colorado, California and Oregon.
Third Way was founded in 2005 by Cowan, Bennett, Kessler and Hale as a “democratic capitalism” group promoting welfare reform, NAFTA-type free trade and deficit cuts.
A 5-4 Supreme Court Bellotti ruling enabled corporate and foreign election donations, which Third Way utilizes.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC (5-4) removed limits on corporate independent expenditures, sparking a surge in outside spending that reached $4.5 billion in the 2024 election cycle. Building on that precedent, health-insurer BlueCross BlueShield, through AHIP, gave $50,000 to centrist think tank Third Way, which launched a $15 million 2024 campaign to oppose Medicare-for-All advocates.

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Third Way Targets

Third Way, a centrist think tank, launched a $15 million campaign to oppose Democratic Party candidates who back Medicare for All, focusing on Dr. Abdul El-Sayed after his Michigan Senate primary win.
President Jonathan Cowan said Third Way is “preparing for war” against candidates such as Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.
Better Solutions for Healthcare (BSFH), which includes AHIP and BlueCross BlueShield, donated $50,000 to Third Way’s advocacy arm in 2024.

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