Hillary hits Obama on health care

Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:23 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Andy Merten and Mark Murray
In a speech from Iowa today, Clinton went after Obama on the issue of health care. "You know, among the Democrats, all of us except Senator Obama have universal health care that have put fourth a plan. Senator Richardson, Senator Edwards, Senator Dodd -- we've put fourth universal healthcare plans because we know if we don't cover everybody, we're going to leave millions and millions of people out. It's a substantive and important difference, because if you don't start with the goal of covering every American, you will never get there."

She added, "And I'm proud that Senator Edwards agrees with me, Senator Dodd agrees with me, Governor Richardson agrees with me. Congressman Kucinich has a different approach, but he gets everyone covered to have universal health care. If we don't have universal health care, then we will be betraying the Democratic Party's principles. And it's important that those who will caucus on January 3rd understand this difference. Senator Obama's plan does not, and cannot, cover all Americans. He has called his plan universal, then he called it 'virtually universal,' but it is not either. And when it comes to truth in labeling, it simply flunks the test."

And: "He's been saying there's no difference between our plans. But his plan would leave at least 15 million Americans uninsured, including more than 100,000 people right here in Iowa. So why don't we just say everybody against the wall, you don't get insurance. We're very sorry, but we're just not going to have a plan that covers you."

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Comments

No one has mentioned it before, Till the drudgereport put it out today, But the Clinton Health Care proposal is exactly like the one President Nixon submitted and failed to get passed, Hillary+ Nixon, thats all this country needs

Hillary is not good for America (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:31 PM)

Why don't we just go ahead & say that under Hillary's Mandate, the words you'll hear are, "Put your hands behind your back, you don't have insurance & you're going to JAIL.

Rick,ky (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:32 PM)

It is kind of odd that Obama's health care plan isn't universal. You would think that would matter to him as he crafted the package. Maybe he was looking ahead to the general election? To me it seems like an important distinction, and shows some kind of timidity or lack of fresh ideas.

Gromansky, Portland, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:43 PM)

Go Clinton.
We need your leadership to stand up to the GOP.
No Neophytes will make it thru the election, experience counts.

Tuck, Realityville, KS (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:52 PM)

I'm just curious how Senators Clinton plan will cover everyone. Oh I get it if you can't afford to buy health insurance you go to jail and you will get health insurance there. Hey this is a great plan, I mean we will need more jails so that will create more jobs building them and of course the gaurds.
You know this could be the answer to all our problems, lets just mandate everyone has a job, if you get unemployed you go to jail. Mandate a good education, go to collage or go to jail. How about we fix Social security that way too, we can mandate everyone have enough money to retire, if you get old and don't have enough money you go to jail.
Ok I admit it won't fix all our problems!!!

Jeff Rathdrum Idaho (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:59 PM)

The darling Boy has been hit again, now obmaland has been shaken by an erthquake. Another day of fun has started, because as we all know Obamaland is going to react forcefully. I have my bag of pop corn and pop ready. I am listening obamanites

fun watcher (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:59 PM)

Folks,
Hillary is sounding more desperate and she is looking more pathetic on this issue of health care.

She is going to regret all this attack on Obama.

Hillary + Nixon = Wrong Choice

Bee (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:59 PM)

Hillary's only experience is with NOT delivering universal healthcare. She had 8 years under her husband's presidency to do it (almost a decade) and still couldn't make it happen. Even though her husband was the president and would have signed anything she put before him, democrats ruled the house/congress, and 75% of Americans wanted universal healthcare and she couldn't make it happen.

She was at the center of a very polarizing setback for universal healthcare, so she's got NOTHING to say.

JenC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:59 PM)

Notice that Hillary is drawing distinction on policy (i.e. health care) and not resorting to personal/ethical attacks like Obama and Edwards.

Can’t wait to hear Obama try to stutter and stammer his way out of this at the next debate!

csh, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:01 PM)

The sad thing is that really it is Clinton agreeing with Edwards after she came with her plan months later.

Ryan, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:05 PM)

Clinton campaign is in panic and making cheap political attacks on Obama. The fact is no one agrees with her plan. She announced her plan after Edwards and Obama did and it's a copy of Edwards plan. So she should say she copied Edwards plan, not Edwards agree with her. Second, Government's job is to make sure health insurance is affordable and insurance companies do not discriminate people on pre-existing condition to cover them. And people are responsible to buy their healthcare coverage the way they are responsible for their car insurance, rent/mortgage, credit card bills and so on. For low income people and small businesses, government can provide subsidy to help people buy the insurance. Government can not force people to buy healthcare coverage. It sounds nice on paper, but how do you do it? Do you take money out of people's pay check like federal, state, medicare, medicaid taxes? Do you charge people a fine during tax return? Do you arrest and put them in jail? People who don't have it is because they can't afford it. Not because someone is not forcing them to have it.

In states like California, state REQUIRES people to have auto insurance. Still they have one of the highest rate of uninsured drivers. On the otherhand, in state like NH where having auto insurance is not mandatory but only a very samll fraction of people drive without insurance. Again it's affordability.

Universal healthcare coverage means providing an opportunity to all people to buy a quality health care coverage at an affordable cost and help those who need help. It does not mean FORCE people to buy an insurance. Like everything of our life, there is a component of individual responsibility. Govt should do its part and citizens also should be responsible for their own lives.

Senator Clinton, if you don't explain how you will enforce the mandate on people and if government legally can force people on doing something that does not impact other people's lives but their own (unlike auto insurance), then you are singing and dancing and screaming to score political points. MA healthcare system mandate people to buy it but still there are about 10% people who are not insured even though they have to pay a fine for not enrolling in the plan.

Arshad, Newburgh, NY (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:06 PM)

Hillary's plan is mandated... you must buy it.

What will she do to those who can't or choose not to?
Jail?
How would she even enforce that?
Local police officers?

1,000 points to the first Hillary Clinton Supporter who answers that question first!!!!!

Seriously, someone answer that question!

Aaron, Saint Paul MN (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:11 PM)

I'd love if you guys would do a story on the pros and cons of a mandate. I'm not sure I understand who is right.

Evan, NY, NY (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:13 PM)

I just went to Clinton's website and she gives less coverage for more money, and, oh yeas, I and forced to buy it. I don't have a choice. I would rather be able to choose to buy less expensive, more comprehensive healthcare under the Obama plan.
That said, I am still reading through the other candidate's plans, but right now Obama's is leading between the two choices.

Jack, Greenville, SC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:14 PM)

SHE'S AT IT AGAIN ! YOU GO GIRL ! hillaryclinton.com

Bill C. (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:14 PM)

Mandated health care coverage: It will be a Brave New World, under Big Sister.

Ellen (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:17 PM)

Gromansky: Obama's smart enough to propose a more realistic plan. I guarrantee that Hillary could have 8 years in office and would not achieve universal care, despite her best efforts and intentions. Sometimes the truth is tough, but this poster isn't going to punish Obama for telling it. That's just refreshing.

--NSMSNBC (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:20 PM)

How is she going to enforce the mandate? She needs to come up with some answers to that...

Mark (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:20 PM)

'Notice that Hillary is drawing distinction on policy (i.e. health care) and not resorting to personal/ethical attacks like Obama and Edwards.

Can’t wait to hear Obama try to stutter and stammer his way out of this at the next debate!

don't worry , obama will muddy the water

Tuck, Realityville, KS (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:30 PM)

Hillary's plan forces people to pay for health insurance or be fined, like they do in Massachussets. People don't have healthcare, not because they aren't forced to but because they cannot afford it.

Yiannis, Baltimore (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:37 PM)

In obama plan parent have to buy insurance for their, what happened if they ccannot afford? Mandate for kids = mandate for parent. You come back to stair one. Imagine parent who have 4, 5, 6 kids.

john doe (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:43 PM)

i dont know if its only me or not. but today - 28nov -was a prime day for Obama to go after clinton on her husband/s flip flopping on iraq. eg. as president clinton flips flop on issues for the mainstream so does hillary...do we honestly want 12 more years of not being told the truth. while he didnt take advantage, hillary used his name and attacked obama/s health care package.

simon, dallas tx (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:44 PM)

Jack Greenville,
If you were on her website, then you should know that if you cannot afford it , Hillary plan open the congress Healthcare to anyone, also she is providing tax credit, and government funding to help get insurance.
See saying it does not mean you did it. And also coverage is offered by insurance company not hillaryplan. Nice try.

check fact (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:46 PM)

Hillary Clinton, when it comes to reading and understanding the English language, you simply flunk the test...

"Optional" does not translate to "None at all!" Hillary doesn't like to address -issues-. The issue and point, is whether people don't have health care because they don't WANT health care, or people don't have health care because they can't AFFORD it. If people are offered affordable health care, does the government really NEED to FORCE people to get it? If someone doesn't want it, who are we to FORCE them to get it? They aren't hurting anyone but themselves. Universal health care doesn't mean we have to turn the US Government into a Nanny-Police State.

So ask yourselves America, do we really need to re-entrench the Police State, and FORCE 15 million Americas to get health care, or do 15 million Americans WANT health care, and we can just give them an option for AFFORDABLE health care...

Barack has the answer...

Ron, TX (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:51 PM)

What Drudge is missing is that the Nixon plan was rejected because it didn't go far enough. That says something about how far the ideological pendulum has swung to the right...a plan that was panned for being too conservative 35 years ago is now "socialized medicine".

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:52 PM)

Why do the OBAMA-ITES in all their holier than thou glory do personal attacks when Hillary Clinton only attacks the issues?

Barak Obama and his campaign have been personally attacking other candidatesfor months yet they'd love for us to believe that the little OBAMA-ITE dears only respond to attacks.

WHEW..it's getting deep Obama-ites

Disgusted (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:07 PM)

Hillary Clinton is the most experienced, stable, qualified candidate. Her strength is not in giving scripted rally speeches. Obama does that better, I concede. However, a president must have more there than the ability to give "audacity" speeches.

Hillary has the leadership America needs in a president. It takes more than a speech to make a good president.

Hillary is a hard worker. No one who has worked with her can deny that. She is always prepared. She does not goof off.

I'm impressed with Hillary Clinton.

Linda Lou (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:12 PM)

Ron,
Barak has the answer...was that a YES or NO????

What exactly is the HOPEFUND?

Disgusted (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:14 PM)

What if you are not one of those Barak Obama's health care plan covers?

Will you be pleased with it and Mr. Obama's plan if you are LEFT BEHIND?

The Obamaites seem to think leaving some behind is the answer.

If the shoe fits...Obamaites. I like that name for the Obama supporters. Seems to fit doesn't it?

Sam (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:22 PM)

Facts:
Barak's plan leaves "up to" 15 million out, but probably much fewer (around 9-10 million).

Hillary's plan will likely leave out 4 million, but maybe a few more.

The size of the US population is 301 million. That means 3% and 1.3% of the US population will be left out by their respective plans. http://www.factcheck.org

My impression is that they are quibbling over nonsense. I would go for the plan that seems most feasible.

- Chris

Christopher Stewart (real name no gimmick) (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:24 PM)

Which one has successfully passed a healthcare thru?
Barack Obama did:

"As a state legislator, Obama worked with both Democrats and Republicans in drafting successful legislation on ethics and health care reform. He sponsored a law enhancing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for child care. Obama also led the passage of legislation mandating videotaping of homicide interrogations, and a law to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they stopped. During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate, Obama won the endorsement of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, whose president credited him with having been "immensely helpful in working with police organizations" on death penalty reform."

Marbw (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:27 PM)

Actually, the Washington Post has a good analysis today of who exactly comprises those who would remain uninsured under Obama's plan. The upshot is:

"So the 15 million people without insurance under Obama's plan would be a combination of relatively well-off people who choose not to purchase health insurance and people who qualify for public programs like Medicaid who don't sign up. It could be a struggle for Clinton to find someone who wants health insurance but doesn't qualify under the Obama plan, because it's not clear such a person exists."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/11/28/fight_over_health_care_for_all.html

True, under Clinton's plan, those people who be mandated to buy insurance. But, until she gives details on how she will enforce a mandate, it looks like she and Obama cover pretty much the same number of people.

Demagirl (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:28 PM)

"Provide Tax Relief to Ensure Affordability: Working families will receive a refundable tax credit to help them afford high-quality health coverage.Tax credits are trailing"

Tax credits are trailing, so how does this help working families that can't afford it in the current year? And if they can't afford it, will they be penalized? Will they still be covered?

Keith Jackson, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:31 PM)

as you put it Hillary is not good for America well then you must not be good for America either. If you think Oboma is better than Hillary then you flunk 1st grade and thats all I'll give you. He has no health care program for this country and never will.

Glenn R Silver Spring Maryland (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:38 PM)

Okay, Obama-ites, leave Ellen behind. Are you taking names yet for those you don't plan to cover? Ellen thinks Big Government is a'comin for her.

Mandated universal health care...just like George Bush and the Congress have...Nope that's not good enough for Ellen.

Disgusted (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:44 PM)

I just don't see haw being forced to buy healthcare can qualify as covering everyone. Also what good are tax credits to those who don't make enough money to pay taxes anyway, hardly an incentive to buy healthcare. As far as the attack by Hillary against Obama I think it just shows that she is running scared. She scares me with all the secrets she keeps and the big defense contractors that give her money. It will be just like having Bush in the White House. I guarantee she will be a use Executive Privilege big time.

Kathy (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:51 PM)

Disgusted,

Hillary Clinton has not answer on Vilsak...Yes or No?

Disgusted square (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:56 PM)

Here is a statement for the Obama campaign and citing the Washington post's fact checker.
In reality, clinton's does not cover everyone so it is not universal.
So, again a desperate Hillary is throwing stones at glass houses.
also, a poll came out in New Hampshire today show her losing even more support.
Notice the pattern???

diane (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:08 PM)

Saint Obama's health plan is "VIRTUALLY UNIVERSAL"...
which goes along with his cult of personality and empty suit.

I'm virtually out of here to dream of Obama and the Obama-ites new virtual song for tomorrow.

I can virtually wait.

Disgusted (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:19 PM)

"Why do the OBAMA-ITES in all their holier than thou glory do personal attacks when Hillary Clinton only attacks the issues?"
Everytime I hear ( I guess) Clinton-ites crying because someone is picking on Hilary I have to laugh, I have been watching all the canidates for awhile now, and if I remember right Hillary drew first blood calling Obama inexperanced and naive. Which is a joke cooming from her even if you give her the benifit of the doubt with Obama, Biden, Richardson and Dodd have more experance the hillary.
Now I will probebily vote for Obama, but I will tell you this I will stay home before I endorse Hillary.

Jeff (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:22 PM)

Good for Hillary! She needs to keep hammering Obama with this. Go Hillary!

Janet Trudeau (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:22 PM)

OBAMA IS WRONG WRONG WRONG.

He probably thought he could get away with it too.

Get him Hillary.

Cal McIver (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:24 PM)

Hillary, I am ready to be a police officer to enforce your plan. Someone punch me, where am I? USA or Cuba??? Since when we cannot have choice anymore in te land on Jefferson and JFK. SAD. The girl is going nuts.

Abraham, SF, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:29 PM)

Since The Clinton's have a lot of difficulty with telling the truth, please read the facts for yourself:

http://thepage.time.com/from-obama-spokesman-bill-burton/

Sharon (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:37 PM)

What Hilary Clinton and her campaign do not want to recognize and accept, as truism is that Senator Obama is intellectually superior to Hilary. Senator Obama allowed Hilary and her team to be gloating throughout the summer that she is inevitable and per such assumption, she kept on walking herself in a blind alley and foreclosed any probable exit route due to hubris.

Hilary and her team have been flooding the airwaves about her experience and strength to lead on the first day as president. On experience, she based her claim on being First Lady for 8-years, which offered her the opportunity to experience events first-hand. But here is the problem.

There are many who served under her husband’s government that are ready to context her claims as empty and superfluous. For instance, Prof. Anthony Lake, who was the National Security Adviser to President Clinton, says that he never saw Hilary Clinton in any of the meetings he attended. There are others in the wing that are going to contradict Hilary’s claim if she persists in pushing her luck too far; such persons who served as secretaries, like Robert Reich, Federico Pena and etc.

On healthcare, she is unreasonably trying to manufacture issues in order to confront Senator Obama without evaluating the implications. Hilary is now saying that she will get the Congress to pass legislation that will give legal teeth to enforcing healthcare mandate. She has not tied her universal healthcare plan to passing legislation in the Congress. Now she is proposing two problems; one, legislation in support of universal healthcare mandate; second, the approval of proposed universal healthcare. It means that if no legislation is passed in support of the universal healthcare mandate, her healthcare proposal will go down in flames. Senator Obama is scheming with skilled dexterity to define her as a dishonest politician that lacks political judgment.

The more Hilary is attacking Obama, the more his stock in metrics of strength and stature will be rising. Hilary cannot win Obama based on character issues, but she now wants to compete with Obama in her presumed area of strength.

Edmonsky, Sacramento, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:42 PM)

Oh my gosh. She is proud that Senator Edwards agrees with her?

I guess he does, since it is his plan, and had been for several months before she presented it as her own!

Oy Vey

Ben (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:42 PM)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ OBAMAFUND $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Justice (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 7:58 PM)

Bill Clinton was the best President we every had and I have no doubt that Hillary will be a great President as well given the chance. NBC gave Bush a pass when he ran for President in 2000 and in 2004 and now we are dealing with the results. It is unreal that NBC so called media types attacked John Kerry in 2004 because he was a war hero but left Bush alone even though he was a user of cocaine and did not perform his duties in the service.
When are you people going to be objective and tell it like it is good or bad? Watching some of your shows like Hardball is like being in a bad meeting were people can be convienced that it is raining when the sun is shinning.
I think the country is tried of the same old BS from all of you or at least I hope so.
I worked for GE, am a white american, make a lot of money and am sick of your nonsense.
I think this time no matter how you try and frame the issues to your liking it will not matter.
By the way, in my circles (people like me-get it) people would love to see Bill Clinton or someone like him as President again (I believe Jack Welch, has the same feeling, I was in plastics).
Bottom line, I can't continue to watch your shows-this is not good for NBC. Maybe you can do a JV with FOX.

Richard Moccia (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:03 PM)

All of you Hillary supporter's better take a few minutes and take a good long look at her so called "Universal Health Care". The cost will not change and now she is going to make you have it regardless! She has no idea what the American people need. Obama is so right, these people don't have health care because it's TO DAMN EXPENSIVE, not because they don't want it! If people could afford it they would have it you idiot's! She's no different than the typical politician (Bush-light) by painting this pretty picture for the people and then hitting them with the bad new's once she is in office. There is a reason she has not given the specific's of her plan and it should be pretty obvious why, YOU WOULDN'T LIKE IT! The problem here is that most American's can't think "outside the box" and see the B.S. she is spreading. It's cost, not availability of health care that is the problem and she has taken too much money from those drug and health care company's to do anything about it if she wanted too. Look past her B.S. and see what she is shoveling or you will be the one paying the price, not her!

DesertStormVet, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:09 PM)

This is now sounding very desperate... Whatever happened to the ‘politics of staying above the fray’?

TheDonald (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:29 PM)

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