A former health insurance executive criticized South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegBloomberg has already spent 0 million on ads in presidential race Buttigieg surrogate: Impeachment is 'literally a Washington story' Buttigieg campaign introduces contest for lowest donation MORE for his time at consulting firm McKinsey & Co. and his work with a medical care provider, accusing the top-tier presidential candidateof using health insurance industry talking points against more progressive health care policy.

Hes absolutely using the talking points that I used to create in my old job and my former colleagues are still turning out, Wendell Potter, who spent 20 years in the health insurance industry, told Hill.TV during an interview that aired on Tuesday.

Potterpointed to Buttigiegs recent jab at rivals Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersButtigieg surrogate: Impeachment is 'literally a Washington story' Michael Moore: Sanders can beat Trump in 2020 Buttigieg campaign introduces contest for lowest donation MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWarren in Christmas tweet slams CBP for treatment of detainees Buttigieg surrogate: Impeachment is 'literally a Washington story' Buttigieg campaign introduces contest for lowest donation MORE (D-Mass.) as a prime example. Though he didn't mention them by name,the South Bend, Ind., mayorsuggested in an MSNBC interview earlier this month thatthe twoprogressive candidates were calling for a health care policythat "would eliminate the job of every single American working at every single insurance company in the country.

In my old job in the industry, I used to play the jobs card too and I call it that because every time reform is proposed that insurance companies dont like they say, Oh, theyll have to lay people off, he said, referring to Buttigieg's claim. Its called playing the jobs card and hes doing that.

Buttigieg campaignspokesperson Sean Savettpushed back against Potter's remarks, sayinghis claim that Buttigieg is parrotingindustry talking points "doesn't hold up."

"Petes 'Medicare for All Who Want It' plan would make some of the boldest, most progressive changes to our health care system in decades in order to achieve universal coverage for all Americans," Savett said in a statement. "It has also been attacked by the health insurance industry because it would create competition and force insurers to lower costs and improve care or lose customers."

Sanders and Warren have been advocating for a "Medicare for All" planthat would ultimately do away with private insurance.

Getting rid of private insurance has beena point of contention between these progressive candidates and moderate candidates like Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenLawyer for Giuliani associate to step down, citing client's financial 'hardship' Buttigieg surrogate: Impeachment is 'literally a Washington story' Presidential candidates should talk about animals MORE, who have both advocated for expanding existing health care coverage andadding a public option plan.

Buttigieg, meanwhile, has defended his work at the insurance company where he previously worked as a consultant, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and maintained that he wasnt involved in the decision-making process at McKinsey.His campaign has also noted that the mayor has been critical of his former employer, calling its work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement disgusting.

Buttigieg, whohas made itto the top of the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, has faced increasing scrutiny from critics, who argue that he hasnt been forthcoming about his past work.

A feud has emerged between Buttigieg and Warren after the Massachusetts senator called on him to make his fundraisers public and disclose his past clients at McKinsey. In an effort to address this criticism, the South Bend, Ind. Mayor has since acceded to both demands.

However, Buttigiegs campaign left out more than 20 high-profile fundraisers from a list of bundlers it released earlier this month, potentially opening his campaign for more attacks over the issue of transparency.

Tess Bonn

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Former health insurance executive: Buttigieg uses industry talking points against progressive health care policy | TheHill - The Hill