Elizabeth Edwards: Favors Clinton's Health Plan, Says Obama's 'Not Universal,' Slams McCain's As Ineffective

Elizabeth Edwards continued her passionate advocacy of universal health care on today's morning shows, appearing on both The Today Show and Morning Joe. Edwards noted her preference for the health care plan devised by Hillary Clinton, stating that it's mandated coverage made it the only truly "universal" health plan between Clinton and Barack Obama: "It means every American has to be covered. Senator Obama means every child has to be covered. I think we need to go the full nine yards." Edwards also continued to criticize the health care plan put forth by John McCain, saying, "He's the beneficiary of some great government programs. But in terms of private insurance, he would not be guaranteed coverage under his own plan. Neither would I or anybody with a pre-existing condition."

EDWARDS: Senator McCain has a health care policy that frankly does not guarantee him or me or a lot of Americans, certainly the people I'm going to go see this morning to get my treatment next to this morning, those people are not guaranteed treatment, not guaranteed insurance coverage.

BRZEZINSKI: So you're saying that McCain wouldn't get coverage under his own plan?

EDWARDS: He's the beneficiary of some great government programs. But in terms of private insurance, he would not be guaranteed coverage under his own plan. Neither would I or anybody with a pre-existing condition. Imagine how many families that involves across this country.
...

SCARBOROUGH: Which plan is better? Which plan covers more Americans? The Clinton plan or the Obama plan?

EDWARDS: In my view, the Clinton plan provides, because it provides a mandate. It means every American has to be covered. Senator Obama means every child has to be covered. I think we need to go the full nine yards and make certain we have -- I'm not very good at cliches, is that the cliche. It ought to be ten yards, wouldn't it?

SCARBOROUGH: Well, not if it's fourth and nine.

EDWARDS: In any event, we want to make certain that every American is covered. In fact, this is also -- Senator McCain does not cover every American. The way that you really keep down the costs of health insurance is that you have universality. You're still going to have everybody cost shifting, trying to cover the cost of the uninsured or cover the cost of people who have an exclusion that doesn't cover this particular condition. You're always going to have this cost-shifting, and that keeps costs up -- to keep costs down, you really need everybody covered.

[WATCH.]

When asked about the possibility of forthcoming endorsements from either her or husband John, Edwards begged off, saying, "We believe both of these candidates would make fine presidents and fine nominees for the party and certainly, particularly with respect to health care, a significant improvement over John McCain and we think our endorsement may be a little less important than y'all do." Edwards also disputed reports of lingering rancor between she, her husband, and Senator Obama: "I did not find him condescending. He was charming...as was Senator Clinton, and I have absolutely no idea where this report comes from."

In related news, Elizabeth Edwards will serve as a visiting fellow to Harvard's Kennedy School of Government next week.

Comments

[KerkorianKnot]

John "I was in Cambodia on Dec. 25, 1969" Kerry says Hillary's healthcare plan is D.O.A. in the Senate. Obamatrons will say anything to win.

[WUC]

Health care coverage in this country needs to become a reality for everyone.

In the fight to prevent cancer we are seeing escalating cases of cancer that require uncountable vast sums of money. Costs that are further crushing the sick, dying and their families.

People are losing more than loved ones to pay for cancer care.

Every day more than 1,500 men, women and children die of cancer in the U.S.

The reality is most people in this country will either have cancer or have someone they love with cancer.

Cancer is expensive. Until the government prioritizes cancer prevention we need to assume the trend for escalating cancer rates will continue.

Bill Couzens, Founder Lesscancer.org

[speakingtruth2power]

Leaving insurance companies in the loop adds over 30% to the true cost of health care

and leaves us all under their priority of profiting. Medicare can do better for US all while

adding less than 7% in administrative costs. Single payer is going to save US 25% as

soon as the lobbyists allow US to get it past the swamp dwellers in our own Congress.

[bison1]

Hillary's kneecapping and kitchen sink strategy against Obama, puts health care reform in jeopardy. Obama has the ability to build the party. She does not. This election is not only about electing the president it is also about building the Congress and winning downstream in the states. Hillary only promises the White House. Congress would still be at risk. Obama has the potential to lead the Party to a filerbuster proof Senate and this would open the door to bring about health care reform, end to the war in Iraq, etc. He has the ability to be a more effective president, because he can reconfigure the political landscape. Without a reconfiguration of the political landscape, we will continue to talk about talking about health care proposals rather than health care policy.

[Bozwellian]

Surprised somewhat at the Edwards position....Hillary's plan is NOT feasible nor will it pass COngress or be implemented as it presently is presented...Obama has a plan that could be tweaked to get passed and then expanded...would say in estimation, Clinton learned little to nothing refarding her experience in achieving HealthCare for this nation. She failed before and is set up to fail again. FInd the Edwards position likely due to OTHER considerations that presently we are NOT privvy to. If they are so against INSIDERS, its semi no brainer who should be the most likely supported..The hesitation to do so is providing insight as to why more did NOT support John.

[drblack]

Untill for profit private health insurers are done away with no change will matter.
I sure don't want to be forced by lawhelp make these criminal insurance companies richer like Hillary wants to force Americans to do.
We need a plan payed for by all Americans through taxes as is done in most of the developed ,civilized world.

[speakingtruth2power]

The problem with all the Health Care plans is that nobody believes that

a single payer plan is politically possible while everyone knows that it

is the most efficient and likely the eventual direction America will take.


That is why I want Dr. Dean to become Secretary of Health in Barack's

Cabinet. Fooling around with half ass-ed solutions because it is more

politically expedient, though far more costly is just plain old Bushit!!!


America needs to make some hard decisions on many issues in

the coming years and it will take an outstanding team of leaders to

change the 'get it now' lie that has been told to US by both parties.


This is why I want to see John Edwards as our next Atty General.

John's populist fervor in exposing the corruption in government,

will help people see the need for real change and hard choices.

ST2P.

[speakingtruth2power]

Ooops, I meant that single payer is seen as politically impossible now.

[mellene]

Clinton may have a better plan, but as I see it, making it mandatory is going to bankrupt many of the poorest who need it the most. What fix does Clinton have for the poor, non medicare eligible who can't afford the premiums? How will they go after those who don't pay? That part seems like a boondogle to me.

[KarenKaren]

Gee wiz, Elizabeth, why do insurance companies figure so prominently in your approach? I had to get by with a low cost catastrophic policy and pay cash for Dr's visits for a stretch, just so I could pay my mortgage, my son's college tuition, and increased gas and food costs. I also signed up for a low cost health insurance discount plan, which is not insurance but guarantees a low group rate for services ranging from surgery to lab work to dr's visits to prescriptions (see Consumer Health Alliance for more info). I put money into a Health Savings Account to ensure I had money to pay for out-of-pocket costs. In all, I spent over $7,000 LESS that year. That was $7,000 the regular insurance company didn't get, but my family was in no way short-changed for health services. We had regular check-ups, routine care, and one case of stitches from a fall.

The problem with a mandate is that it forces people to become customers of insurance companies. There are other ways to deal with obtaining health services. The mandate issue is starting to feel like zealotry where no one can get a word in edgewise. And, no, middle class people do not use the emergency rooms for free. It's a mistake to blame the middle class uninsured/under-insured for rising health costs.

[michelvaillant]

You can think whatever you want about all other aspects of the two candidates, but study after study has shown that you need a mandatory universal health care system for things to work. You can't have folks who think they are healthy opt out and invariably get sick and become burdens like uninsured folks are right now.

[KarenKaren]

The middle class uninsured/under-insured are not responsible for rising health costs and do not use emergency rooms for free. They use a variety of means to obtain health insurance like paying cash, using Health Savings accounts, participating in discount plans, and by having catastrophic plans. Their situation is often one of being intermittently uninsured/under-insured.

The studies are not conclusive in that all options are not taken into consideration. I'd rather a full and open discussion that takes into consideration alternate points of view. For example, using a Health Savings Account in conjunction with both a low fee discount card and a low cost catastrophic plan can save a person or family thousands.

Just like the government has competing costs and cannot pick up the tab for full coverage, middle class self-employed have competing costs. Where's the thousands they'll have to pay for full coverage suppose to come from?

[bailey2006]

By Elizabeth Edwards saying this, you can bet your bottom dollar who her husband will throw his super delegate vote to and who will get his earned delegates!

[Benmyoho]

Hurray for Elizabeth Edwards, another gutsy lady, as gutsy as Hillary Clinton. Yes, l say bring it on! Hillary till the end!

[vsign]

HuffPost's Pick

Thank you Elizabeth - I really need health care I can afford. I long determined that Hillary has the best plan after your husband dropped out of the race. I think about Medicare and how no one seems to have a problem with it. Why is it so hard for the government to help all Americans control these costs? Sometimes I think it is because it is not proposed as Medicare for all Americans.

Hillary's health care plan was the key to my taking another look at Hillary as my candidate for President.

Thank you again for all that you and your husband have tried to do for the working class in our country.

[kb]

Educate yourself on what Mrs. Edwards is talking about. She's saying there will be No Chance for Universal Healthcare under Obama's plan.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/04/krugman-if-obama-is-president-theres-no-chance-for-universal-health-care/

Original Paul Krugman article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/opinion/04krugman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[iPolitics]

There is zero chance of passing the mandate in Hillary or Edwards' plan (there are Republicans is Congress too). They don't even offer single payer. It's a mandate on parents to buy healthcare NOT the gov't. You have to buy it if you can't afford it. Obama is realistic. starts with kids and poor alomg with cutting costs. The HMO's love Hillary and Edwards plan...makes THEM rich

[sickofallofit]

The corporations love it too - gives them an opportunity to stop paying for employee health insurance. And you wonder why Wal-Mart gave money to Hillary???

[bison1]

I have the upmost respect and admiration for Elizabeth Edwards and I understand the differences between the plans. Bill and Hillary promise to delivery health care reform before when the Democratic Party had control of the Congress and it did not happen. I don trust her to deliver unversal health care if it becomes political expedient not to do so. Having said that, I do believe that if any Democratic candidate is elected there will be substantial improvement in the health care system. Therefore, I must look at the complete character of each candidate and not just their health care proposals.

[riverhouse]

It's not only dumb but downright silly for Elizabeth Edwards to allow herself to be used as a stooge by the right wing Joe Scarborough who is daily doing his best to secure the nomination for Hillary because that's what the GOP wnats and needs in the general election.

[ChrisS13]

LOL, Joe goes after Hillary as much as he goes after Obama. I know Obama supporters don't like that kind of unbiased coverage, but it is what it is. Also, how is she being used as a stooge? She cares about Health care and she's been speaking about it alot longer then this election period. Joe S. is a lot closer to the center then he is to the right, there is no need to insult everyone who doesn't have a D, next to there name. .

[bison1]

So, it is just not me. I, too, have been thinking that Joe Scarborough is doing his best every day to secure the nomination for Hillary because that's who the GOP wants and needs in the general election. But I have become sensitive about being overly critically of the media. Thank you, for my reality check

[Nix]

Thank you Jesus Talkleft and the Hillarytarts has been proven the better!
Forced insurance wow that will be so great!! Now only if Clinton can start pull magic rabbit out of her huge rump and win the nod. Then she can start criminalizing the working poor maybe have Halliburton build forced labor camps to help Clinton's corporate over lords.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

do you have any idea what the monthy cost for insurance premiums for the avg family of 4 will be after the tax credits, subsidies and premium caps of Clinton's plan are accounted for? Or, are you just blowing smoke out your A$$ for the fun of it?

[bison1]

The nations need health care reform, but Clinton is not arguing for a single payer system" another entitlement like Social Security and Medicare. Both Clinton"s and Obama"s plans throw a lot of new business to private health insurance companies, but Clinton's would throw more.

[AnninCA]

I'm glad to see some discussion about the health care plans. Hillary's plan is much more progressive.