Clinton reveals her plan for universal health care
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton called for universal health care on Monday, plunging back into the bruising political battle she famously waged and lost as first lady on an issue that looms large in the 2008 presidential race.
"This is not government-run," the party's front-runner said of her plan to extend coverage to an estimated 47 million Americans who now go without.
In unveiling her plan, she called for a requirement for businesses to obtain insurance for employees, and said the wealthy should pay higher taxes to help defray the cost for those less able to pay for it. She put the government's cost at $110 billion a year.
Mindful of the lessons of her failed attempt, Clinton said that under her new plan anyone who is content with their health coverage can keep what they have.
The New York senator said her plan would require every American to purchase insurance, either through their jobs or through a program modeled on Medicare or the federal employee health plan. Businesses would be required to offer insurance or contribute to a pool that would expand coverage. Individuals and small businesses would be offered tax credits to make insurance more affordable.
As the front-runner, Clinton drew swift criticism from Democratic and Republican rivals, including party foes Bill Richardson and John Edwards who argued she was merely following their lead in offering a similar plan.
To pay for her plan, Clinton said the tax cuts for Americans making $250,000 that were enacted under President Bush would be allowed to expire. She also projected she would identify $56 billion in savings through computerized record keeping, reducing the price of prescription drugs and cutting Medicare overpayments to hospitals and CEOs.
Clinton also said companies would no longer be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or genetic predisposition to certain illnesses.
The other candidates' health care plans
DEMOCRATS
Joe Biden: Expand health insurance to cover all children and to make catastrophic care available for all.
Chris Dodd: Expand coverage by offering insurance that could be taken from job to job.
John Edwards: Mandatory universal coverage in first term.
Dennis Kucinich: Favors national health insurance program covering medical, dental, mental health and long-term care for all.
Barack Obama: Require employers to share costs of insuring workers and ensure all children are covered.
Bill Richardson: Tax breaks for businesses and for people who pay for their own coverage.
REPUBLICANS
Sam Brownback: "Market-based solutions, not government-run health care."
Rudy Giuliani: Income tax deduction of $7,500 per taxpayer to defray insurance costs.
Mike Huckabee: Favors market solutions, state innovation.
Duncan Hunter: Supported expansion of health insurance through tax breaks.
John McCain: Promotes prescription drug coverage for older people and expanded insurance for children.
Mitt Romney: Incentives for states to expand affordable coverage..
Tom Tancredo: Market reforms instead of more federal spending to expand health coverage.
Fred Thompson: "Market-driven" expansion of affordable coverage.