Healthcare divides prospective US democratic nominees

The leading candidates for the democratic presidential nomination clashed in their first appearance together in the race to take on Donald Trump next year.

Former vice-president Joe Biden, faced off against his two closest rivals, senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

At the debate, the dispute over how to tackle the perennial problem of America’s healthcare system once again exposed the divisions in the democrat field between progressives and moderates.

Biden, who served eight years under Barack Obama, has promised to build on the Obamacare policy which Donald Trump has attempted to dismantle.

Ms Warren says a bigger plan is needed and wants the country’s top earners to pay more in taxes to fund a government-run health plan for everyone in the country.