Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

MK,MO — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:48:31 GMT

edwards is the only one that has an all inclusive healthcare plan that wasn't written by lobbyists, compare for yourself, edwards is the only feasible plan that covers all working americans and can be paid for

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

JJ in NJ — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:58:29 GMT

Except that it isn't a health CARE proposal, it's a health INSURANCE proposal, which leaves for-profit insurers as the only players at the table. She gives lip service to refusing to allow insurers to cherry pick or deny coverage fore pre-existing conditions, but doesn't say how she's going to do it.

The Edwards plan has both a government and an insurer program, and the two will compete with each other. You will get to choose which way you want to go.

Hillary is 100% in the pockets of K-Street lobbyists.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

ZTL — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:58:31 GMT

Nice strategy! Go Obama

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

George — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:00:50 GMT

Boy, that Obama is really something, what HASN'T he done?
Has there ever been a politician who's given himself so much credit for doing so little? He is constantly pointing out what he did as a State senator, because what he has mainly done as a US senator is write a book about himself, and run for President. How many votes has this guy MISSED?
Even bullshitt Mitt has more to tout when it comes to health care. He actually did something worthwhile (which he now probably disavows) in Mass.

NONE of the candidate's proposals (I like Edwards' best) will be anything like the final bill, if we ever get one, so saying, "I'm first", or mine's better, is a lot like Mitt saying that his wife's prettier (than Bill Clinton), it might be true, but does it really matter?
The most important things about any health plan is How will you pay for it, and who will administer it, and there really isn't a lot of play for any plan when it comes to these two things.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

HMT-MI — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:10:27 GMT

all plans should be welcomed and disccussed----where are the republican plans?

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:27:05 GMT

HMT-MI:

I for one hope we don't see any Republican "plans," since the whole concept is unconstitutional, unworkable, and prohibitively expensive.

Better to leave the topic alone than to blunder into another costly and unworkable entitlement that will cost an arm and a leg and further draw down people's disposable income.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

jerry/corpus christi texas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:28:23 GMT

Rudy favors a move from Employer based to Individual market health plans.

Mitt: get insurance or pay a penalty

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

PJ — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:33:35 GMT

For the Republican plan please see:
http://home.earthlink.net/~platter/neo-conservatism/pnac.html
They've been too busy with this agenda to think about healthcare for Americans.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

John, MO — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:38:36 GMT

The health care problem can and should be fixed without government run plans. The solution (state level) is to first take medical liability issues out of the courts system and put it under a comission/board of the state medical licensing entity with caps on all awards. Then the state insurance comissions would need to limit both medical liability and health insurance premiums.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Shadow, Hamden, CT — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:40:45 GMT

Obama is absolutely right here, and particularly when it comes to not mandating coverage off the bat like Edwards and Clinton want to. Although universal health care must ultimately in the end be universal, the idea of accomplishing it in one fell swoop with mandated coverage is going to cause a host of problems, particularly for some poorer Americans, which will cause the coverage not to be universal anyway. Just ask anyone who lives in Romney's mandated health care state of Massachussetts whether they like their system; all I've heard from average people there is complaints.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Chester H. Lacey, Arlington,Texas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:52:09 GMT

For some of you it's are to believe that Obama has done what he says he's done it's on the record! It you do'nt believe it saying it over an over will not change the fact the man is a gift to America and to the people who realize his potential when he steps into the white house Jan 20,2008. A Great Day !

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

H P Boston — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:52:31 GMT

HMT MI, Republicans do not make plans, only WAR.
REpukes do not care if kids have health care, look how they are voting in Congress. The rich run America and the rest of us are on our own.
They will take all the money and waste on the WAR the love so much. But any shoring up for AMERICA is well...you are on your own.
War machine is in full gear, ripping us off. Killing
innocent Iraqis and our young people.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Toris — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:55:21 GMT

I have a health insurance that covers me 99.9%. I got it from my employer and i can opt out if i like. It is not mandatory but based on choice.

Any healthcare that is not choice driven, i am not for it. The universal healthcare has to be choice driven and need to be managed by Non-Profit not Government. I don't want congress managing my healthcare just like they manage my Social Security which is a disaster.

I am for Universal Healthcare that is not mandatory but affordable to buy. I'll suggest government should cover people that can't afford healthcare by verifying their income. If anyone think we can get rid of Profit in healthcare - that person is not been realistic. This is a capitalist country and it will remain so come 100 years from now.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

H P Boston — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:56:10 GMT

HMT MI, Republicans do not make plans, only WAR.
REpukes do not care if kids have health care, look how they are voting in Congress. The rich run America and the rest of us are on our own.
They will take all the money and waste it on the WAR they love so much. But any shoring up for AMERICA is well...you are on your own.
War machine is in full gear, ripping us off. Killing
innocent Iraqis and our young people. They too are on their own.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

fl — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:57:40 GMT

If you want to know what Obama has done for healthcare

in Illinois check out... www.obamatruth.org

Obama speaks with forked tongue.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Jeremy, Iowa City, IA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:00:39 GMT

In addition to the children's health initiative he helped pass in IL, Obama passed the first ethics reform in 20+ years in Springfield. In DC he worked on and passed further political reform, passing sunshine legislation and lobbying reform. Then he went on to help get CAFE increases through the Senate for the first time in 20+ years. Obama is not just experienced; he's accomplished. Edwards talks about what he would do, promising the moon and throwing red meat to liberal bloggers. Clinton is worse. She talks about what she can't do, and has actually admitted that although health care reform is her number one domestic priority she won't accomplish it until her hypothetical second term. Obama is running on his accomplishments and on his track record of good judgment. I like that.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

jerry/corpus christi texas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:19:39 GMT

Hillary could run on her track record, but she doesn't have one.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Chester H. Lacey, Arlington,Texas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:30:52 GMT

To the readers of this web page, I made a error in writting earlier in a comment on this page today. My typing hand can't keep with my thinking.This is the one of the problems future Pres. Obama is having, reflecting his vision of America, and it's very hard for many in American to visualize a hopeful America because they've lose the ability to dream the impossible dream!

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

HMT-MI — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:47:56 GMT

Thanks to those that answered my question---about a republican plan---simply got confused about the fact that all monies only go to fund the Bush war in Iraq.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Joe — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:56:02 GMT

I like that Obama's plans offer a CHOICE unlike Clinton or Edwards plan. Mandatory healthcare scares the heck out of people. At least Obama's plan treats Americans like grown ups by letting people decide if they want private or goverment run healthcare

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Kevin Nelson, Tulsa Oklahoma — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:57:44 GMT

Hillary makes government run health care mandatory.

This from the party of choice?

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Crystal, Washington, D.C. — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:03:20 GMT

Good job Obama, I agree. Obama's plan is the only one that makes sense. Hillary’s plan would be too financially burdensome for lower-income individuals and families. And by mandating health insurance, it is clear that she didn’t have poor people in mind.
Such a mandate would be too invasive and would restrict personal freedom and choice. If she’s mandating health insurance, she needs to come out and tell us how she intends to enforce it. Because I’m pretty sure that what such a mandate does is eventually fill up our jails with poor black people who cannot afford health insurance.
Individuals cannot be forced to purchase insurance until the cost of coverage is significantly reduced.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Sierra, SF — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:18:51 GMT

Kevin Nelson,: 'Hillary makes government run health care mandatory......
This from the party of choice?'

Kevin, actually Hillary leaves Health insurance companies in the mix. She'll maximize their profits. After all, they're campaign contributors.

Hillary had to run her Health insurance proposal by a(ex?) 'Bush Ranger', Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack.
She's gotten this ex-Bush Ranger to contribute to her campaign by giving him veto power over her Health care initiative.

Guess who's going to benefit, Kevin ?
If you say America, you're DEAD WRONG !!
Try special interests as profitting from Hillary's plans !!
(the devil's in the deatial)

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:24:14 GMT

sierra/jerry continue the anticlinton rant. rant on! shes gonna be our next president.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Rick, San Francisco CA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:28:02 GMT

The Republican plan is self -reliance, ever heard of that? Where in our Constitution does it say that our government will care and feed us for our entire lives? If heath care is a right isn't housing, food and transportation? When will we ask the Gov. to pay for that? Get off the gov. teat and earn it! Slackers.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Gary, West Chester, Oh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:40:54 GMT

Bottom line, "Nationalized Health Care" hasn't worked anywhere else! Why is it that Canadians and other alliens come to the US for care? Call it what you want but Hillary Care, Obama Care, you might as well prepare yourself for long waits in line for care! Hope your life insurance is paid up!

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Independant — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:41:15 GMT

I say we should embrace Edwards rhetoric about 2 America's. One America is the following: Every one that's for unviversal healthcare and wants and expects the governement to take care of them everyone that's against the war, everyone that wants no military, higher taxes, more wellfare, freedom to say and do whatever they want no matter who it effects (the me 1st attitude), those who believe that America is bad, think God is bad, who think they have no opportunity because the system is rigged (LOL!) who want others to do for them instead of doing for themselves who think Global warming is real becuase they don't bother to listen to facts that tell us the opposite and on and on can all move to San Francisco and become your own America. Good bye and good ridance you can no longer have any of the other America's taxpayer dollars or military protection you are your own seprate country good luck. Yes your biggest cash cow will be your movie exports hope those actors share their money with you. Let's see how long you last without the good hard woring patriotic people of America who are currently carrying your dead ungrateful weight.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

jerry/corpus christi texas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:41:27 GMT

Rick, I'd be shocked if anybody else in San francisco came forward and said that it is not the government's job to house and feed you.

Liberals basically demand the government take care of them without showing any kind of responsibility. To be a Liberal, you pretty much have to be a man short.

I see a lot of poor people that I would consider liberal every day. Sitting on the porch, putting away those chicken wings and budweiser and waiting for the monthly card from the government. Not doing a day's work and getting paid by the goverment for it.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Not a whiney liberal ass — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:43:34 GMT

Slackers get free healthcare we could be just like the Europeans...screw that go to Europe if you want that losers I work too hard to give up the great benefits my family and I have...

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Nicholas, Minneaps, MN — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:06:24 GMT

G-Obama '08!

He is a candidate with substance and will actually get things done. More politicians should try to make promises they can keep, rather than promises with little more than a lot of flash and pinache without substance. One step at a time, we'll make it there.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Mark, Fairfax, VA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:37:53 GMT

Hello!!! McFLY!!!! Universal Healthcare is just an alias for wealth redistribution through SOCIALISM! Educate yourselves about welfare & healthcare reform, and its ecomomic ramifications before you speak.

You think you're taxes are high now, if you people elect Hilary, she'll bankrupt the country with healthcare taxes. It's not just Hillary either; Edward's and Obama's plans are just as bad.

The single largest drain on our economy isn't the war, it isn't gas prices either; it IS healthcare! Specifically, medicare and medicade, which Hillary will expand to cover those who don't have insurance. Who do you think pays for policies in her socialist system anyway? It is going to be everyday middle class Americans who foot the bill. Frankly, I think we are already paying enough for programs that don’t work.

We don't need another new plan, we need efficient and effective REFORM. A real leader isn't going to propose more new plans, that's too easy, anyone can do that. A real leader for our country will fight to FIX what we have now.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Jennifer — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:48:35 GMT

Support HR676 if you want to see real universal health care. All the others are disingenuous and smack of lobbyist influence.

http://kucinich.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HR676.pdf

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Toris — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:56:05 GMT

Lets be realistic, healthcare plan without a choice is a disaster. Americans like the idea of freedom to choose and anything that fall short of that is gabbage.

Universal healthcare coverage + choice will be less resistant. That is the winning formula come 2008. I am no big fan of government run services - especially in America where most government worker are less innovative.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Sierra, SF — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:24:15 GMT

John, MO:
'The health care problem can and should be fixed without government run plans....'

Why ?
Why shouldn't the national government be a part of the solution ?
It is in England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand ......
In short, the National government is a part of Health care insurance in EVERY Industrialized democracy.

Do you know why, John ?
It's because corporations don't completely control politics in other countries, like they do here.
Other countries don't spend the vast majority of their resources on War nad Empire.
Supporting the American Empire is pretty expensive.

'...The solution (state level) is to first take medical liability issues out of the courts system and put it under a comission/board of the state medical licensing entity with caps on all awards. Then the state insurance comissions would need to limit both medical liability and health insurance premiums.....'

That's NOT THE PROBLEM, john !!
The problem is that people have their coverage tie to their employment !!
The reason the courts have to handle liability problems is that our corporations and insurance companies are so corrupt and irresponsible, and that doctors and hospitals are incapable of self-regulation !!
Hospitals are turning into mega-corporations interested only in maximizing profits

Sorry John, NO SALE !!!

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Dr Coles, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:28:32 GMT

We need to fix the health care issue but we cannot fix it unless we know how it is broken. For the answer, please see http://www.InteliOrg.com/

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:43:46 GMT

Sierra--

The national governments of the countries you mentioned are involved in health care in their countries because in each of them the national government is fully sovereign and is empowered to deal with such if it chooses.

That is NOT the case here in the US. The national government's sovereignty is limited to those matters delegated to it. Health care is NOT one of them (at least in my Constitution). The States are the sovereigns--they have the power and the duty to act if they choose to do so. It is not Washington's place to act in this area or to force the States to do so (the citizens of the States have that power and obligation if they want the service/benefit/etc.).

Why is this so hard for people to understand or grasp? And why do we continue to ignore this obvious reality?

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Aidyn, NY, NY — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:48:45 GMT

What Obama does not understand is that the only reason Clinton fail was becuase in 94 we had a Republican Congress, but now we have a Democratic Congress which means that she will get it done this time.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

John, MO — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:53:49 GMT

'The health care problem can and should be fixed without government run plans....'

Why ?

The U.S. Government is limited by the constitution to those powers specificly stated in said constitution. All other powers are to the states and the people. If you want government involved in national health care you first need to amend the constitution.

Why shouldn't the national government be a part of the solution ?

I do not know about the constitution of these other countries but ours does not provide for it.

It is in England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand ......
In short, the National government is a part of Health care insurance in EVERY Industrialized democracy.

Do you know why, John ?
It's because corporations don't completely control politics in other countries, like they do here.
Other countries don't spend the vast majority of their resources on War nad Empire.
Supporting the American Empire is pretty expensive.

'...The solution (state level) is to first take medical liability issues out of the courts system and put it under a comission/board of the state medical licensing entity with caps on all awards. Then the state insurance comissions would need to limit both medical liability and health insurance premiums.....'

That's NOT THE PROBLEM, john !!

Indeed it is.

The problem with health care started about 35-40 years ago when some people discovered that they could game the system and become wealthy. it gradually drove up medical liability costs which in turn drove up medical costs. With rising medical costs the health insurance premiums increased. This increased the number of people who received care but were unable to pay for it.

My father was in a hospital for 3 days a few years back and the bill was over $20,000.00. When he asked the hospital administrator to justify the bill he was told that those people who can pay for care are billed for those who can't. This in a non- profit hospital.

The problem is that people have their coverage tie to their employment !!
The reason the courts have to handle liability problems is that our corporations and insurance companies are so corrupt and irresponsible, and that doctors and hospitals are incapable of self-regulation !!

Liability issues would be handled by a comission/board as part of the state medical licensing system. NO attorneys allowed.

Medical liability and health insurance premiums would be regulated by the state's insurance regulatory body.

Hospitals are turning into mega-corporations interested only in maximizing profits

In some cities most hospitals are non-profit and they have the same problem starting with medical liability premiums exceeding $1million/yr.

Sorry John, NO SALE !!!
Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, September 17, 2007 3:24

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

AL, CA — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:41:32 GMT

If I didn't have employer provided insurance, I would barely be able to afford my own insurance. This plan gives employers an incentive NOT to provide insurance, and people like me will end up paying for it out of my own pocket. The cost of insurance for a family of four is said to be somewhere around 10,000-12,000 a year...and the average family of four only makes something around 50-60 k a year right? This would be an awfully big burden for a family to be MANDATED to take on- nevermind the issue of people who have insurance and still can't seem to get any actual care or to get their insurace companies to pay up when the time comes.

Why are our legislators trying so hard to pad the pockets of these insurance companies' CEOs who are already making millions of dollars each year? Don't ask me to get excited about any of these sham healthcare reform plans!

Cheers to the comments in support of true universal, guaranteed healthcare, not universal insurance.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Mike,Dallas, Texas — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:26:09 GMT

If we Democrats elect Hillary as the nominee this is what the General election is goona be about.Since shes running on his experience and accomplishments she has to take the good with the bad.
1.Bills Infedelities (you know the names.)
2.Bills failure to capture Osama bin Laden, after having several chances.
3.Her invovlement with Whitewater +all the other so called scandals
4.Her decision to vote for the Iraq War
5.Her lack of judgement And her speach made before her vote saying Iraq and Alqaeda had connections, though that very report she didnt stated clearly no connection.
6.Norman Hsu
7.Lincoln bed room and all the other money fueled scandals.
8.Allegations she hired She has so much Private Investigators to harass bills girlfriends
Hillary has so much baggage by Nov independants and moderate repubs are gonna be so turned off theyll vote for the independant candidate or the republican.
I hope im wrong but i know im right. And you Know it as well.

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

Windy CIty Girl, Chicago IL — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:59:17 GMT

"Rick, I'd be shocked if anybody else in San francisco came forward and said that it is not the government's job to house and feed you.

Liberals basically demand the government take care of them without showing any kind of responsibility. To be a Liberal, you pretty much have to be a man short.

I see a lot of poor people that I would consider liberal every day. Sitting on the porch, putting away those chicken wings and budweiser and waiting for the monthly card from the government. Not doing a day's work and getting paid by the goverment for it."

First of all, what does a "man short" mean?

Second, chicken wings and beer? I eat chicken wings and drink beer, and I don't get governmental help! BUT, I think I know who you are talking about by saying chicken wings and beer, and you are a racist.

Third, if you see someone violating any laws when it comes to welfare, you should report it. I think everyone is for that.

Lastly, what about all those huge conservative churches who could afford to put ads on tv but don't pay taxes? Republicans are the only people I know who think those churches need a break from the government, but citizens don't. I bet if we tax them like everybody else we could afford to insure those who have no other options. How about this...working class families don't pay taxes but pay for their own healthcare, and then you don't take from us and we don't take from you.

When did it become a bad thing to take care of those in need? Why are the ones who need the most help always vicitimized, but those who need no help get all the breaks from the government? That is crap.

When we all have a better quality of life, the economy grows, violence decreases, and creativity and invention flourish.

Liberal and damn proud of it. Working hard so the Republicans can spread Christianity through government funded AIDS programs in Africa, and can benefit off of no-bid contracts in Iraq.

And we don't give anything to governmental programs we hate, right?

Obama on Clinton's health-care plan

HOT DAM — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:10:30 GMT

Bravo WINDY!