Hillary hits Obama on health care

Hillary is not good for America — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:31:11 GMT

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 hits Obama on health care

Rick,ky — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:32:55 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Gromansky, Portland, Oregon — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:43:36 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Tuck, Realityville, KS — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:52:12 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Jeff Rathdrum Idaho — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:59:26 GMT

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!!!

Hillary hits Obama on health care

fun watcher — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:59:28 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Bee — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:59:29 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

JenC — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:59:59 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

csh, IL — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:01:06 GMT

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!

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Ryan, Virginia — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:05:22 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Arshad, Newburgh, NY — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:06:25 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Aaron, Saint Paul MN — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:11:04 GMT

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!

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Evan, NY, NY — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:13:08 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Jack, Greenville, SC — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:14:08 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Bill C. — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:14:42 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Ellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:17:17 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

--NSMSNBC — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:20:28 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Mark — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:20:38 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Tuck, Realityville, KS — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:30:45 GMT

'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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Yiannis, Baltimore — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:37:59 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

john doe — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:43:00 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

simon, dallas tx — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:44:52 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

check fact — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:46:13 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Ron, TX — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:51:15 GMT

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...

Hillary hits Obama on health care

John B, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:52:50 GMT

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".

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Disgusted — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:07:08 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Linda Lou — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:12:26 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Disgusted — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:14:55 GMT

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

What exactly is the HOPEFUND?

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Sam — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:22:29 GMT

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?

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Christopher Stewart (real name no gimmick) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:24:58 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Marbw — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:27:29 GMT

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."

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Demagirl — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:28:10 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Keith Jackson, San Francisco, CA — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:31:45 GMT

"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?

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Glenn R Silver Spring Maryland — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:38:11 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Disgusted — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:44:30 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Kathy — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:51:36 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Disgusted square — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:56:41 GMT

Disgusted,

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

diane — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:08:31 GMT

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???

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Disgusted — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:19:19 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Jeff — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:22:25 GMT

"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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Janet Trudeau — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:22:33 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Cal McIver — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:24:29 GMT

OBAMA IS WRONG WRONG WRONG.

He probably thought he could get away with it too.

Get him Hillary.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Abraham, SF, CA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:29:45 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Sharon — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:37:14 GMT

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/

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Edmonsky, Sacramento, CA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:42:18 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Ben — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:42:35 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Justice — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:58:27 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Richard Moccia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:03:14 GMT

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.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

DesertStormVet, IL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:09:35 GMT

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!

Hillary hits Obama on health care

TheDonald — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:29:05 GMT

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

Hillary hits Obama on health care

LARRY SANDERS — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:34:26 GMT

HOW ABOUT WE ALL GIVE UP ARE INCOME TAX REFUND TOO HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS. IT WORKS OVER SEAS

Hillary hits Obama on health care

F. Igwealor — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:17:21 GMT

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton don't trust American people to buy healthcare if it's affordable.
Barack Obama trust American people to buy health insurance if it's affordable.
That is the difference between the top three's healthcare plan.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Takethat Hillary — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:27:24 GMT

Washington Post: "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." The Washington Post reported, "For people who want to get health insurance and make an effort to do so, Clinton and Obama have almost exactly the same plan: increasing the number of poor who can qualify for Medicaid, offering tax credits or subsidies for people who need help paying their health care bills and requiring insurance companies to offer everyone coverage, with the government subsidizing those who can't pay the full amount. 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." [Washington Post, 11/28/07]

Hillary hits Obama on health care

And This — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:29:07 GMT

Clinton Campaign Health Care Adviser: Clinton's Health Care Plan Will Not Include Everybody. "The truth is that neither the Obama plan, nor the Clinton plan, guarantees 'universal coverage' for all Americans, although they both aspire to this goal. Let's look at the Clinton plan first. MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber, one of Clinton's health care advisers, describes her plan as a 'universal coverage' plan, in contrast to the Obama plan, which he terms a 'universal access' plan. But he also acknowledges that the Clinton plan will not include everybody. 'Any system that does not have a single payer will not have 100 per cent coverage,' he told me, when I reached him after the Las Vegas debate. 'But you can come very close.' ... The system proposed by Clinton is more analagous to the government-subsidized private insurance system in the Netherlands, where roughly one and a half per cent of the population is estimated to fall through the cracks." [Washington Post Fact Checker, 11/19/07]

Hillary hits Obama on health care

TDN, SC — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:01:21 GMT

Obama 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hillary hits Obama on health care

lane filler, spartanburg, sc — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:21:27 GMT

Anyone looking for some new Hillary video from an SC stop and an interesting commentary on how race is impacting that primary should try: http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/27/hillary_and_the_black_men_of_god

Hillary hits Obama on health care

julie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:43:12 GMT

You Hillary supporters are gonna be pretty bummed if she's elected, and the premium she wants you to pay is a heavy financial burden- on top of the penalty she'll impose.

Hillary is backed in a corner, and the claws come out.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:57:37 GMT

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)

Obama also supports fines for those who don't insure their children. Just an FYI. I'll be waiting to see you blast him for that as well. :)

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Dr. Greg, Birmingham, AL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:25:28 GMT

Wow! The comments are blazing today!

I'd like to weigh-in my own perspective: I am a Physics Fellow who is preparing to take his boards in Diagnostic Medical Physics. I am married with a son who just turned nine years old. My profession is basically serving as a radiation physics specialist and troubleshooter for a hospital's Radiology department. Back when I was in Graduate school, my wife was a stay-at-home mom, so we were dirt-poor. My son was in school, and was a recipient of Medicaid, but my wife and I had NO MEDICAL INSURANCE. I did MRI research in the basement of a university hospital, but I couldn't afford to walk down the hall to the ER room if something should happen. I still grumble over those days.

If Senator Clinton or Senator Obama were president then, and had actually passed their proposed plans - as they are currently designed and intended - then what would have happened to me?

Under Clinton's plan, I would have to find the money to afford a health care plan, on fear of penalty - a fine (more money?) or worse? The reason I didn't qualify for Medicaid coverage along with my son was because I made TOO MUCH MONEY - at the time, I claimed ~$15,000 a year on my tax return.

Under Obama's plan, I suspect nothing would change, except this: there may be a bargain-basement option designed to cater to us "just over the limit" families. I don't know if I would take it, but if I could make up the difference with tax breaks and selling cookies outside the grocery store, I may be willing to sign up my wife for it.

Of course, the best route would be to provide healthcare in the same fashion as garbage collecting - a public service paid for by tax dollars. But, would people be willing to pay the extra tax for it? Offhand, the only people who stand to lose are the many medical insurance salespeople who need to pay their own medical bills with my insurance premiums...

My vote is for Obama.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

James Keys, San Francisco, California — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:08:33 GMT

Universal Health Care is the “order of the day.” Everywhere you turn it is on the news and being discussed by Presidential hopefuls and gubernatorial lame ducks. San Francisco California is just beginning to offer free health services to its residents and Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is expected to reach a final agreement in the next week on a health care overhaul that could go to a vote as soon as December 05, 2007. Yet why can’t these factions get together to make Universal Health Care work?

I spoke with a member of my Health Advisory Committee regarding this “health care overhaul” and he advised me that “the public hospitals and clinics will suffer from this overhaul.” More money will come from certain sources, and less money will come from others. Yet the fear is that the two income sources will not be able to generate the amounts needed to continue sustain this venture. Does this mean that Schwarzenegger’s 2006 speech about “reforming health care” fall short? "The Governor's plan recognizes that health coverage for all Californians will benefit all Californians," said California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belshé. "

Public and private hospitals will be asked to pay a new tax on services. The tax would be offset by an increase in reimbursement rates for services provided to people enrolled in government-subsidized Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs. Yet with declining state and federal funding, many fear that public hospitals may not receive the full benefit of higher reimbursements, leaving them short of funds.

And on the national stage we see President Bush talking and writing on health care. From his February 2006 letter titled “Reforming Health Care for the 21st Century” to his weekly radio address where he discusses the “State Children's Health Insurance Program.” Funny thing is that Bush says “If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money.” Yet one month later White House Press Secretary Dana Perino says “The Senate passed another SCHIP bill with major flaws, especially its failure to cover poor children first. Congress has known for weeks that the President would veto this bill.”

And while on www.WhiteHouse.gov says “Americans are fortunate to have the most advanced and innovative health care system in the world. The President's plan will make private health insurance more affordable and increase the number of Americans with health insurance. The plan will also help our Nation move away from reliance on government-run health care and toward a system in which Americans have better access to basic, affordable private insurance, and increased ownership of their medical decisions.”

This “double speak” means that the President's plan includes two parts: Reforming the tax code with a standard deduction for Health Insurance so all Americans get the same tax breaks for health insurance and helping states make affordable private health insurance available to their citizens. Tax breaks for the rich who can already afford premium health care. And of course premiums for those who live at or below the poverty line. Yet what is the answer? Single-payer.
[1] Single payer is basically a way some countries use to provide its citizens with health insurance. Its name comes from the fact that doctors and hospitals are paid by one organization: a single payer. By having only one payer, you can simplify the health care system enormously. Single-payer national health insurance would provide health insurance coverage for everyone in the United States (the US currently has about 45 million uninsured), alter the way businesses pay for health care, modify how doctors are paid, how hospitals calculate their costs and budgets, and how much prescription drugs cost in the United States.

And how would this get paid for? The United States spends double what most other countries spend on health care, and Americans still have shorter lifespans, and 45 million people still go uninsured every year. Many financing schemes exist. Hundreds of billions of dollars could potentially be saved in administrative costs, which would far exceed the amount needed to insure everyone in the United States. Put most simply, the money that businesses currently pay for health care would go to the single-payer; this would make up most of the money needed.

And prescription drugs would be cheaper also. Virtually all other industrialized, capitalist countries have some sort of large-scale bulk-purchasing program. It's just like Wal-Mart using its purchasing power to buy in bulk, and provide cheap goods to customers. In fact, the reason many people are buying drugs from Canada is because they're much cheaper there. Insurance companies do this all the time--buy drugs for all of their members, and get cheaper prices, so would it really be that different to have the government buy for everyone? The VA and the Department of Defense already do this, but the current Medicare legislation does not allow the government to do so.

Now this idea has been bantered about for some time, yet we still see no real movement towards the single payer model. Senator Barak Obama’s “National Health Insurance Exchange” sounds a lot like what San Francisco is doing right now, minus the lawsuit by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. And Senator Hillary Clinton's “American Health Choices Plan” says it will cover all Americans and improves health care by lowering costs and improving quality. Yet how will you make companies lower their costs for health insurance?

These ideas, by themselves, have flaws that will upset one entity or the other. So why not pull all the ideas together, take the best of each and make a working plan. I know, I simplified the entire process and of course this will never happen. Yet somewhere in this morass is the solution. A solution where all Americans can have free healthcare, and with that, perhaps to lead a more dignified life.

Hillary hits Obama on health care

ken calif — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:29:40 GMT

The repubs wont have to do anything the Demo's will self destruct on their own
1. For wishing the war in Iraq would fail
2. Noone will vote for a canidate that includes forced care, what do they intend to do if you dont accept care, aresst us ?
Its the right of the people to alter or abolish the government ( declaration of Independence )

Hillary hits Obama on health care

Ashley Taylor — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:20:40 GMT

i am not old enough to vote but i watch the dabates and hillary has a great plan for America. i hope she win and become our President