Elizabeth Edwards Returns McCain's Fire, Demands 'Straight Talk'

Days ago, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former nominee contender John Edwards, took aim at GOP nominee John McCain's health care plan, pointing out that, under the plan, insurance companies "wouldn't have to cover preexisting conditions like melanoma and breast cancer." That meant that she and McCain shared two common traits: both have been diagnosed with cancer, and "Neither one of us would be covered by his health policy."

Afterwards, McCain advisor Douglas Holtz-Eakin characterized Edwards' remarks as "disappointing" and scolded her for not fully grasping the Senator's plan. Via ThinkProgress:

Holtz-Eakin said McCain's policy would harness "the power of competition to produce greater coverage for Americans." Because McCain's plan would lower the cost of healthcare through competition, Holtz-Eakin said, it would reduce costs for consumers with or without preexisting conditions.

Naturally, you'd think that those powerful markets would have nigh been harnessed, seeing as how cancer isn't exactly a new affliction. Well, Elizabeth Edwards wasn't having any of it, and hit back hard in a guest post at ThinkProgress' Wonk Room:

I freely admit that I am confused about the role of overnight funding in repurchase markets in the collapse of Bear Stearns. What I am not confused about is John McCain's health care proposal. Apparently Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a senior policy advisor to McCain, thinks I do "not understand the comprehensive nature of the senator's proposal." The problem, Douglas, is that, despite fuzzy language and feel-good lines in the Senator's proposal, I do understand exactly how devastating it will be to people who have the health conditions with which the Senator and I are confronted (melanoma for him, breast cancer for me) but do not have the financial resources we have. In very unconfusing language: they are left outside the clinic doors.

But Edwards didn't leave the matter settled with a clever riposte, either, posing four substantive questions that she didn't think McCain would have the capacity to answer. The fourth was a coup de grace:

Isn't the type of competition you are talking about really a rush to the bottom? As long as you allow insurers to underwrite and deny access, you encourage insurers to offer plans that may be cheap, but that get that way by avoiding people with cancer or other high-cost diseases or by limiting benefits and treatments, particularly if the treatment is expensive or might be needed for a long time. We all live in the real world; those of us lucky enough to have health insurance have seen how insurers cut coverage and up co-pays or deny particular treatments. The insurance company makes money when it doesn't have to pay for our health care. (I suspect that if they could, they would write obstetrical-only policies for nuns.) Doesn't your plan really encourage insurers plans to compete to avoid people with cancer or other high-cost diseases? Don't you think that the kind of competition that starts with a decent level of required coverage, that doesn't exclude the care we actually need, would be better?

In related news: Is it too late to draft Ms. Edwards to run for President?

Comments

[Wasp35]

(cont) So in the case of your friend, if she was given an overdose of Cumidin under a government healthcare system, she would not only have to endure the suffering of the overdose, but she will also be left without any recourse against the government provider. The healthcare system we have now isn't perfect (no system ever is), but a government monopoly would be much worse.

[cheesewiz]

Oh please, we have a workers comp system that provides workers with the care they need. Why can't we all have health care? We spend a huge portion of our GNP on health care, more than all Western nations, yet we have millions uninsured. Something wrong with this picture. God I love that Mrs. Edwards.

[melonman]

A government monopoly? Talk about nonsense. Should we have competing governments? The healthcare system we have now is not only imperfect, it's inadequate and immoral. It replaces the hippocratic oath that doctors and other healthcare professionals used to take seriously with greed. It's now more about the money than it is about saving lives.

[foreffectivegovernment]

JuniorBug:
You said, "Careful there, tough guy. Mrs. Edwards is famous for responding to people on online forums just such as this one. I don't think that's a fight you want to go looking for."
I sure hope you are right about that. She will be able to read what was written by the Obama supporters when John didn't support him.
I actually think John Edwards actually did endorse Hillary when he said she was "a strong and effective leader and would be a good woman president" and that Obama was an "African-American".
How is that not an endorsement for Hillary unless you are Black?

[Zentomato]

The main reason the conservatives argue against healthcare for all is because they deeply believe that they've got their's and if you ain't got your's, tough too bad get sick and die. They don't believe that we are all in this together. There is no such thing as compassionate conservatism. Modern conservatism is based in fear and paranoa and should be listed in the DSM as a neurosis.

[noamjunior]

Modern conservatism is based in fear and paranoa and should be listed in the DSM as a neurosis
Is is - they call it Homophobia

[TN]

I love elizabeth! McCains people should know not to mess with her.

[nualak]

It;\'s a shame (or a blessing) that Elizabeth Edwards has to be the non-candidate challenging John McCain. I wonder how long it will be before the Media cuts her off - like they did to her husband. I'm sure the Republican's are already sending out their "talking points", vilifying this truly courageous woman and showing up the Republicanisha for what they actually are - cold hearted, bloodless, greedy cretians.

[sparkandy]

That's one team, John and Elizabeth, the Republicans truly feared. They would have lost the election before it even started if the Democrats hadn't done their dirty work for them and ran Edwards off.

[Rosanneofpgh]

Im glad to see that Elizabeth Edwards is speaking out on issues that are important to the middle class aka the working poor.

She is an amazing woman who has more guts, more brains and more heart than most men. I was sorry to see her husband drop out of the race as I felt he and Elizabeth would be the voice for the middle class and the poor.

Im hoping that her speaking out now is the precursor to John re-entering the race. Now that we've gotten tired of all the petty bickering between obama and hilary, having a real grownup in the race would be a big relief! And you all should remember that John Edwards was the only dem who polled as being able to beat ANY rethug, including insane mccain.

In closing, Elizabeth Edwards is my hero; I want to be just like her when I grow up. I wish her a long and fulfilling life.

[parisblues]

If only Elizabeth Edwards could be the woman candidate that so many self-described feminists had pinned their hopes on!

[TexasMom]

Amen to that!

[ME08]

Oh please...I respect her position on this completely, and glad she socked it to McCain's shill, but let's not get ridiculous here.

[4today]

the press would have had her for lunch!!!! Women can not be candidates in this nation, Murdock just won't have it!!!

[AgathaX]

Offering Elizabeth Edwards an opportunity to work on health care policy would not be a bad idea at all. I think she was the driving force behind Edward's candidacy. I think she could be effective in selling a plan to both 'Congress and the American people. If she lives that long.

[NURSERATCHET]

NICE JOB ELIZABETH! I DO APPRECIATE A TAKE NO PRISONERS KIND OF GAL! HOPEFULLY HILLARY WILL BECOME OUR NEXT PRESIDENT AND PUT FORTH HER HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT DOES AWAY WITH THE "PRE-EXISTING" LOOP HOLE INSURANCES COMPANIES HAVE FORCED ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC! ALL THE BEST TO YOU ELIZABETH!

[LISABONA]

NURSERATCHET, I agree that Mrs.Edwards, could be a big asset to Hillary's campaign.I would be glad, to see two women in charge with the NEW HEALTCARE PLAN, with no ''pre-existing' condition. Also, her husband J.Edwards,deserve the best position in Clintons Administration, if he would agree it would be nice to endorse Hillary. I think, it's time to stop "the bag punching" attitude toward Hillary, by the media who is so in rush to make Hillary,withdraw her candidacy.Everybody,deserve a fair chance.

[Gary47]

McCain is toast. Dry, unbuttered, day old toast.

[SouthCentralDel]

Elizabeth is a rock.

Obama/E.Edwards '08

[totalliberal]

For those who don't want the Feds running our health care system, I would suggest that they do it like the Canadians. Let the states run health-care system, but with Fed supervision. If they start screwing people around they lose their Fed tax money.

[vixie29]

I have two thoughts on this matter, as a Tricare (military) participant when you go to a military hospital you feel like your going to get competent treatment but they aren't going to go to the ropes for you if you are not their priority (active duty) and they will effectively give you something that doesn't work well and hope you don't come back. Second, I live in England and if you thought our health system was bad, wait until you try national healthcare and your in a room with 8 old men who don't conform to awake in the day asleep at night practice. I thought one guys was going to die in there, he was left alone no machienes hooked up and no treatment in sight (he was unconcious after hitting his head) I think their philosophy is if he's going to die so be it. There is no privacy whatsoever, I tried closing the curtains, but those nurses don't like it. My son was there with a broken leg which needed surgery, first they splinted his leg and expected him to go across the hall with it dangling by himself to the loo and then I found out the high MRSA infection rate, it wasn't long before I called the military hospital and had him transferred, some things are better than others.

[sparafucilli]

I'm Canadian and have been hospitalized several times requiring a bed for days on end and have never experienced what you've just described. We have private plans that cover single or double occupancy rooms but the minimum for those without the coverage is 4 to a room. And the attending staff cover the whole floor regardless of the room size you are in.

Someone asked why single payer can't be implemented. Of course it can. All takes is will and an informed public that demands it. A public that hasn't been divided and conquered.
Of course with single payer there may be an employment dip for a short while until all that staff that doctor's and insurers employ are refocused where it counts, on the care and not the accounting.

Why American's spend 15% of GDP on Health Care while Canada spend's a little over 9% and universal coverage is still an issue is beyond me. Maybe someone can 'splain.

[olbluis]

Who would have guessed that Mrs. Edwards would become a much more substantive voice than her husband so soon after his withdrawl? Not that her capacity and abilities were ever in doubt, but the speed to which she seems to have eclipsed Senator Edwards is remarkable. It was no secret how large a role she played in his campaign, but perhaps she was even more responsible for the Edwards candidacy than John Edwards.

If Hillary Clinton had one tenth of the authenticity Elizabeth Edwards has she would have been the nominee of the party Super Tuesday. She would make a wonderful addition to an Obama cabinet. What a lady.

[springsm]

She was always a substantive voice regardless of where her spouse was at the moment. The trouble is..that the naysayers and the spiteful were too busy critisizing him and her for 1) going on with the campaign in spite of her cancer and 2) not staying home like a good little hausfrau with her kids. Never mind that it truly was her choice and that the kids were with them. Elizabeth Edwards is one smart woman and she is definately a courageous one. Pulls no punches...I admire her so much. Smart, articulate, heart and motives in the right place. Darn....

[Agathena]

I love that woman!

May she remain with us for a long long long time.

[archerlane]

Wow,
this lady is impressive.

Obama,
You should welcome both she and John as additions to your administration.

[inspectormerlot]

One problem: I don't think she'd accept. She's on record as opposing Obama's health plan - she prefers Clinton's. She says universal mandatory health insurance sover is essential.

[ME08]

And she is right...how does THAT complicate things for you, Obamabots?
Remember that she and Obama got into it about health care, and if anyone can speak about it, she can.

[repubstheirownworstenemy]

She's a national treasure. Perhaps President Obama can recruit Ms. Edwards to help craft his new health plan?

[JuniorBug]

That ship has sailed, unfortunately. Obama's on record many times over as enforcing the Republican frame of health insurance mandates, which are integral to any progressive (read: Elizabeth Edwards) health care plan.

[ME08]

Good point...Obama has lost this one for many who are not sympathetic to his Repig Lite plan...NEVER acceptable for any true progressive or Dem.

[eladora]

For me, this is the height of selflessness. This woman could ignore the rest of the world on any day and noone would blame her with her cancer. But instead she steps where others are afraid to and calls the bluff of the insurance companies. Ins companies rule the world. Make no mistake about it--the health industry is such a vicious circle of wrongs that it chokes people to death instead of healing them.
It shouldnt be her who called Mccain out on this and that man who tried to diss her and found that she is ten times smarter than him should resign .
God speed & good health Ms Edwards.