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

[Blurp]

Elizabeth Edwards is one of the reasons I voted for her husband in the primary. I'm glad she's still in the fray.

[foreffectivegovernment]

This is why the United States has the healthcare system we have now. How can we allow another Republican administration to rule the Country? Our Democratic Leadership is selling us out by allowing Republican tactics to elect our nominee by what is called "strategic voting". We need a fighter, not a talker in the Whitehouse. Don't let your children influence your vote.

This is a transcript of the 1971 conversation between President Richard Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman that led to the HMO act of 1973:

Ehrlichman: “Edgar Kaiser is running his Permanente deal for profit. And the reason that he can … the reason he can do it … I had Edgar Kaiser come in … talk to me about this and I went into it in some depth. All the incentives are toward less medical care, because …”
President Nixon: [Unclear.]
Ehrlichman: “… the less care they give them, the more money they make.”
President Nixon: “Fine.” [Unclear.]
Ehrlichman: [Unclear] “… and the incentives run the right way.”
President Nixon: “Not bad.”

[foreffectivegovernment]

In the Senate, Kennedy, author of the HMO Act, also encouraged its passage: ``I have strongly advocated passage of legislation to assist the development of health maintenance organizations as a viable and competitive alternative to fee-for-service practice. This bill represents the first initiative by the Federal Government which attempts to come to grips directly with the problems of fragmentation and disorganization in the health care industry. I believe that the HMO is the best idea put forth so far for containing costs and improving the organization and the delivery of health-care services.''
Continued---- Notice the reference to Senator Teddy Kennedy-----------

On December 29, 1973, President Nixon signed the HMO Act of 1973 into law.
Managed care's history dates back to 1972 and U.S. President Richard Nixon’s term of office. That was the year Nixon signed the HMO Act that provided for start-up grants and loans for the development of health maintenance organizations (HMOs). The oldest form of managed care, HMOs offer members a range of health benefits, including preventive care, for a set monthly fee.

In the Senate, "(Senator Edward, Teddy), Kennedy, author of the HMO Act, also encouraged its passage: Obama supporter, Teddy Kennedy, was responsible for this mess. Isn't this worse than voting for the war?

[tea in the harbor]

Isn't what worse than voting for the war? Trying to smear the leading candidate with a mistake made by a supporter 35 years ago? Well, it is incredibly sleazy, but it won't kill anybody as long as it doesn't work, and it won't! We've got a "fighter" in the White House right now, his battle with reality isn't going well, but hey', Rocky didn't quit, did he?

[keir]

I was under an HMO back in the late 70's to 1987. It was regulated and I had absolutly no trouble with it. Then the regulations were removed..and do not blame the Dems for it. The repubs deregulate everything...what do you think happened to the houseing market? Again free markets with no limits..

So do not blame any dem for the mess the repubs leave behind them.

[nogop]

McNuts' stooge trying to out-Knowledge Elizabeth Edwards on health care and cancer coverage is likeNBA Commissioner David Stern trying to win a slam dunk contest that includes Michael Jordan,Julius Erving, and Dwight Howard!!! Sir-and I use the term loosely- when you are in a deep hole,shut up and stop digging! Way to go Elizabeth! May G-dbless you every day of every year!!!

[ME08]

Right! The McPain stooge barked up the wrong tree...glad Elizabeth took him to school!

[Grannysue]

Elizabeth Edwards is exactly right on, I speak about something I know about, having worked in healthcare for over thirty years and still am working as a Business Manager for a group of E.R. physicians. She's exactly right, everyday we have claims returned to us from Insurance compaines for reasons such as "this is a pre-existing condition", or "this wasn't a true emergency", or any other number of reasons. Look for people who talk out their ass and don't know what their talking about, it's great spin, especially for those in the parties that take big contributions from Insurance carriers, and the lobbyist, but for the people who know what's going on, she is correct and McBush is doing just that, talking out his ass. Why, because a good many of the wealthy don't worry about such trivial things as people without healtcare. They must be bottom feeders trying to milk the system. Why do you think nearly 60% of physicians have said they would be willing to go to a universal healtcare system, but the Insurance carriers will pour money on top of money to the Politicians to "not fix the problem". So you go Elizabeth.

[StevenHyde]

Edwards/Edwards '08

--Hyde

[JuniorBug]

Oh, lord. If only.

[BigLib]

Poor thing needs to be told her husband is no longer in the race. She needs to be put to bed.

[ErnestineBass]

Why do so many of you trolls insist on including the word Lib in your nicks?

[wiseapple]

It could be short for libido- sounds like he's trying to get another woman in bed. Pervert!

[JuniorBug]

You're assuming this isn't a Clinton/Obama/Vilsack supporter. Clinton's backers have been the cruelest in their remarks against Elizabeth that I've seen from the left OR the right.

[tea in the harbor]

Did you post just to show the world you are a jerk? My sister died a little less than two years ago because an HMO doctor didn't order tests that would have caught her cancer at a treatable stage. SHE IS DEAD! GET IT, DEAD, because administrators in our health care system wanted to save a few bucks! Your crass post shows a depth of concern about your fellow humans that would result in our extinction were it shared by others! You are fortunate that cyber beatings do not exist!

[kevenseven]

Ouch.

[ME08]

Glad you lashed out that idiot for his callous, repellent comment, and my sympathies for your loss. A friend of mine was just given an overdose of Cumidin she didn't need...she is lucky to be alive...a doctor filling in for her regular doctor (which she did not ask for) administered the inappropiate dose...

[artfluzzy08]

lame lame biglib loser... wow. why even post with such unreasonable hatred? only a Bush-lover could be so.. what's the word? COLD AND ARRAGANT!

[nellie]

There's another word. It describes people who have no conscience.

[amiblueyoubet]

Get used to hearing it Big Loser. Your heroes, the Repugnants are being replaced this year and next year and the next along with any Democrat that sounds anything like a Repugnant.

[MinuteMan]

> along with any Democrat that sounds anything like a Repugnant.

Time for DINOs to fade away like their namesakes!

[JuniorBug]

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.

[MizJ]

Where were we that we let this couple withdraw from the dialogue? Why were we so unable to sustain his candidacy and let them drift away from the playing field? He spoke to the issues that are vital to us and she showed class and smarts as well. The media took the coverage off him and determined the race in favor of one candidate and the Edwards message was sorely unheard. Now, as we did with Gore, we are begging him to make a choice because the ratings will sore and we can fill another 48 hour news cycle. Shame on us that we refuse to listen and may very well have done ourselves the ultimate harm.

[tea in the harbor]

Just a thought, and I hope lots of repuplicans read this just before going to bed, Attorney General John Edwards, Surgeon General Elizabeth Edwards!

[zeldamae]

I think you have to be a doctor to be surgeon general. But I love her. And I'm glad as a citizen who can get some coverage she is speaking out against McCain's health plan. And even though it is gracious of her to the democratic party, she could easily speak against Obama's also, which is weak.

[TN]

Sounds good to me!

[FaaLaveLave]

John Edwards was ignored and belittled on a 24/7 basis by the corporatist mainstream media. He was not "let go" by the people but excluded from the race by the talking idiots that represent the corporate military industrial complex of this nation. "One of their boyz" (not necessarily meaning males) had to control the "race". But, never fear, when November arrives the Diebold machines will be a-whirrin' and their pick will "win"........hasn't been any different for seven-plus years now.
Face it, we are the "owned" people who are good enough to march like lemmings to their drummer.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Ya think?

Edwards put out more detailed position papers on just about everything before all the other candidates. Do you remember seeing the press covering even ONE of his positions?

Can you recall how much he paid for his haircuts?

[Agathena]

The US media is Republican. A careful observation of the primary coverage is all the proof that you need. And ask John McSame about the BBQ he gave for the Washington press corps, video on YouTube. You can see the fawning press and the "adorable" flowers given by Politico to Mrs. McSame. He's their guy.

[MNmommy]

Go Elizabeth!

Perhaps you can help explain to Olbermann why the Shanks case is not anything exceptional - just that WalMart makes an easy target.

Single Payer Universal Healthcare is the goal here.

[slow2]

Jason, thank you for bringing Elizabeth Edwards' analysis to our attention. Ms Edwards' remarks, in keeping with her normal way of speaking, are clear and intelligent. She was a brilliant supporter of her spouse during his campaign.

It's not easy to phrase this comment sensitively -- but it's important to say it: Elizabeth Edwards is the very model of an educated, competent, articulate woman; she is, in fact, the kind of woman who would be an outstanding Democratic nominee for the presidency of the United States.

We can hope that she will have some role, barring complications from her health, in the next administration; what an asset she would be.

[suuzie]

Now Elizabeth Edwards is a woman I would truly be proud to vote for.

[artfluzzy08]

Ditto!

[PioneerKing]

Ooooooccchhhh. Smack down! Way to go Dr. Edwards.
If the insurance companies are not competitive with 43 million Americans uninsured how in the world will Sen. McCain's plan make them become competitive?
I love it when the republicans orchestrate corporate welfare and call the practice letting the "free market economy," work on its own.

[swift goat pet for truth]

How will McCain's plan make them competitive?

EASY.

Socialize costs. Privatize profits.

[gomonkeygo]

Nice job, Ma'am, nice job. I salute you!

[RogerHWerner]

McCain's talk of "competition" shows just how disinformed he is with respect to the nature of health care. Bill Clinton crowed about competition and how ti would reduce costs and health care today is significant higher then it was in 2000. This country will never have real universal health care coverage until insurance companies are removed completely from the health care equation. The only real universal health care coverage is single payer it the single payer setting prices for all services and with no opt out for anyone..

[halyscomet]

One SHARP Lady.

I would surely vote for her!

[happycat]

Elizabeth Edward's is one tough, courageous, beautiful and very brave lady. She has spoken the truth once again. She continues to be one of my biggest heroes. If only McCain would heed what she is saying. What happens to people with pre-existing conditions? They spend whatever strength thay have fighting with the insurance companies. Our health care system is beyond flawed, it is a disgrace.

[Denni]

Obama and the OTHER Edwards '08!