Rather interesting read -

http://www.kcci.com/politics/11407584/detail.html?rss=des&psp=news

Sen. Clinton To Pay Off Vilsack's Campaign Debt
Details Have To Be Worked Out
POSTED: 6:31 pm CDT March 27, 2007
UPDATED: 6:53 pm CDT March 27, 2007

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack gave Sen. Hillary Clinton his endorsement for her presidential campaign.
The Clinton campaign has promised Vilsack to help pay off a $400,000 campaign debt he built up during his run for the White House.
A representative for Clinton's campaign said they are not sure how their campaign will do that. They concede that at some point, Clinton will have to contact her supporters.

The campaign said there is no connection between Vilsack's endorsement and their commitment to help pay off his campaign debt.

http://www.kcci.com/politics/11407584/detail.html?rss=des&psp=news

Obama is lying on this one folks,how will he do it if you dont madate it.or how will he pay for it.15 million yes it does leave out that many.another hypocrite out of the side of his mouth.

BIDEN O*8*

THAT TOO GREEN OABMA DONT KNOW WHAT EHS TALKING ABOUT- MISLEADING STATEMENT ABOUT HIS HEALTH CARE- PRES. BILL CLINTON SAID -WHEN OBAMA TALKING ABOUT EHALTH CARE UH ITS INTERSTEING-HE MEMIC HILALRY THE EBST HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT EVRYBODY COVERED- WOLD BLITZXER GOT HIM DURING THE DEABTE- HE WONT COVER ALL AMERICAN- OABMA STOP LYING- UR FRAUD CABDIATE QUIT NOQ-UR USELESS.

All the blogs I read points out again and again how we vote. You are not in high school voting for the best looking, most popular, the most white, most black, most brown, yellow or red. That is how "Bush", along with the Supreme Court intervention, was placed into office under the guise of "Born again Christian". In the beginning Obama and his wife were on a talk show. Obama's wife, Michelle, made a statement that Obama, being a black man, could not go to a gas station without the treat of being shot, in this country. What a divisive and prejudice statement! I am white and had a white cousin who was shot dead in a Wisconsin gas station – by a black man. All he was doing was getting his car fueled. He had a wife, children and grandchildren. He was active in his community. So, what does that say, Michelle's statement and the actual event. We the people need dicipline. We have gone amuck in our decisions and actions. Grow up and pick leaders who consider the whole rather than the single intertest. Our community, the world, deserves our intelligence and good sense.

John, Columbia, SC:

I agree with your line of reasoning, especially as it relates to the link between entitlement and personal initiative. It is an interesting national discussion…the line between Govt and personal responsibility. All too often the Govt interjects itself at the peril of personsibility of the individual.

You are so right about "typical liberal venom"…funny it comes from those so concerned about the erosion of our civil liberties.

I was reading all of the posts. It gives me the impression that OBAMA's people are coming here constantly on regualr basis and put up positive comments for him. Moreover most of their post have no contribution to the discussion. I also find them very very hostile to the "heading" given by CNNN> sORRY oBAMA WORKERS we are not that stupid. NICE TRY>

Corrections to my last post.
I typed too quickly and made a lot of grammatical errors.
1) The argument about universality of health coalesces simply on the responsibility of the citizen, and on the premise of affordability. The argument for a mandate e.g. for children also is based on the same idea, i.e. can the law be followed, have we enough resources so that our laws do not bite our back

2) Clinton says how can we make it work commercially, whereas Obama says how can we stop commercialising health care. Both of them arguably have the same goal, that health care be universal, but they have fundamental difference. The premise of their solutions are very different. Obama has the best premise. Clinton solves a problem that was created, whereas Obama introduces a new health care plan system.

3)Mandates, though we end up getting used to them are in the long run complex systems. They create many complex problems that we face today. The reason that today many people with vested interest have found loop holes is because of the same old thought of the basis for enforcing strategies by law, taking away government from the people. In the end, the government has too much power, gets blamed when there are problems, and so forth. This is the problem that a lot of people do not see with mandates and other related styles.

John in Columbia,

I'm a different Steve, but I'm intrigued by your question of "why not give food and housing if you're going to give medical care?" The fact is, the government DOES give food and housing in the form of food stamps, shelters, low income housing, etc. US society long ago decided that basic needs should be available to everyone, people should not starve on our streets. Does it happen anyway? Of course. But a huge part of that is due to medical bills, untreated mental health issues, etc. etc.

What I want to know from foes of socialized medicine is why they so readily accept socialized military, police, fire departments, and, in some cases, education, but not healthcare. Health issues destroy far more lives than do muggers, terrorists, or house fires, after all.

We can't afford medicaid as it is right now (50 million people on it). The reason being, Americans aren't responsible. Those with medicaid spend more time in hospitals for minor problems (ie colds) than anybody else.

That being said. If we can't afford to pay for a program that gives full coverage to 1/6th of our population..how can we afford to pay for one that covers all of it?

As long as Americans aren't responsible, neither of their plans will work. We won't have money for any other programs if we go with either candidate's proposals.

Say "hello bigger budget deficit."

RE:What a masterful job, John! May the peasants rise and perforate you with their pitchforks!
They will, however, be shocked at the black blood.
Posted By Steve, Lyons, CO : December 1, 2007 2:32 am

Steve:
My point is that people already have a sense of entitlement, why do you feel that health care is a right? It is a privelege. Government can provide whatever the electorate decides it should provide. Why not guarantee food or a home, these are even greater "necessitees" than health care? Why has the health care field been chosen as the start of socialism? If we guarantee universal health care, more people lose their incentive to work. You are responsible for providing for yourself and your family, the government should not be there for our every need. Our health care system will suffer the same fate as medicare and social security if the government takes it over. Both those programs already have great fiscal problems, and I have seen no sign that the government can balance a budget like we all do at home.

My arguement is logic, unlike your references to pitchforks and peasants. It makes great drama, but your statement is nothing but typical liberal venom. If someone doesn't agree with your liberal beliefs, then stick them with pitchforks?

Your only logical statement was that insurance companies have a much higher overhead than medicare (which is in deep trouble). A single payor system is more efficient, but if that occurs, people must pay for their health care premiums and not continually look towards "the rich" to fund their "needs".

By the way, I am a health care provider, and have treated hundreds to thousands of patients that could not pay. I am not worried that my blood is black as you say, I would put my altruism up against yours any day.

Lastly, if anyone here is concerned by unnecessary medical tests, blame your friendly malpractice lawyer. Lawsuits shape the way health care is delivered, and if you want your tests to be dictated by fear of lawsuits, then keep us on our current path. If you think your doctors are killing you with treatment, you always have the option of not going.

What a joke. Clinton calling Obama on dishonesty. She is liar by commission and omission on a regular basis. She is a cheap, sleazy and untrustworthy candidate whose entire life is a promotion. She conducts a campaign resembling a house of cards that is now taking a big tumble.

i'm really getting sick of the obama campaign. these people need to wake up and smell the roses. their candidate will NEVER, NEVER get the nomination. kicking hillary all the time will give the other side more fodder for their cannon. HILLARY 08′

Below are a few reasons why "HR 676 Single Payer Not For Profit Universal Health Care For All (Medicare For All) is a no-brainer. And some reasons why private for profit health insurance is a stupid idea, and injuring, and killing you and your loved ones.

Medicare cost 2-3% to administer. Private insurance cost 30% to administer.

Under HR 676 everyone would be covered from birth to death. No co-pays. No-deductible. No out of pocket cost. Plus Dental. And Vision. For less cost than we pay now under private health insurance.

With private insurance. You have 47 million Americans with no insurance.

And 89 million Americans that had no insurance part of the time from 2006-2007.

And over a 100 million that are under insured.

18-30 thousand Americans that die each year from lack of health care.

Health Care bills as the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy. And loss of homes.

Under HR 676 health care is moral, and ethical.

Private for profit insurance is immoral. And unethical.

Profit is the primary motive of the private insurance companies.

They make profit by charging needy, vulnerable, sick Americans as much as they can charge them.

Then they make more profit by denying them care when they most need it. And are most vulnerable and unable to fight back. When they are sick. Or trying to recover from major illness.

Yep! I know you are getting angry. I'm sorry. But I have to continue.

Under HR 676: we will save 300 billion dollars in administrative cost each year.

With private insurance: we spent more per capita on health care than any other country in the world. Over twice as much as most other developed country's. Yet we have 47 million with no health care.

We rank at the bottom in quality of health care #37.

Americans have a shorter life expectancy than people from all other developed countries. We rank # 42 in life expectancy. Down from #1.

For the first time in American history. The life expectancy of American children is less than that of their parents. American children are dieing at a record rate. And are in terrible health generally.

People from other country's enjoy a much higher level of general health than the best privately insured Americans.

Americans are also shrinking. We used to be the tallest people in the world. Now we are down to # 10.

People from other country's never have to worry about going bankrupt, or loosing their homes over medical bills if they get sick.

Maybe you should go take a break for a while before I go on. I know this must be upsetting. But this is just a small part of the sad truth about private health insurance that HR 676 can fix.

Under HR 676: Health care will be based on need. Not on profit. And high standards, and quality will be enforced, and patients protected by the Government through a dedicated civil service. With the power, and resources to rain in abuses of patient care. Like they do with Medicare now.

With private insurance: Medical care is base on ability to pay. And profit. Tens of thousands of patient are killed, and millions are injure, crippled, and mutilated each year under private for profit health care, and insurance.

By insurance companies denying needed care to increase their profits.

By hospitals cutting corners. And using the cheapest least experienced personnel, equipment, and standards they can get away with.

By doctors that over treat, and under treat. Who injure, mutilate, and kill patients with unnecessary test, procedures, surgery, and invasive diagnostic test for profit. Who poison, kill, and injure millions of Americans with all manor of unnecessary pharmaceuticals for profit. Men, Women, Children, and babies.

Americans makeup 2-4 % of the world population. But Americans buy, and consume 50% of all pharmaceuticals world wide. This is a monstrous evil. And immorality.

And lastly, by politicians that take blood money from all these despicable groups and turn blind eye's to this slaughter of the American people. And the slaughter of their own loved ones. And them-self.

Well I could go on. And on. But I think this is enough to get you started making your daily phone calls to your fellow Americans to support HR 676. And to help them understand how important it is that each of them join the fight. And bring the MAXIMUM pressure to bear on all individuals, parties, and especially your politicians, and Representatives. To get HR 676 passed into law immediately.

This is an emergency. America is in a crisis. More Americans have died from this health care crisis than have died in all the wars in US history. Do your best. Millions of Americans lives are counting on each of you. Including your own life. Remember, you are Americans. You know how to fight for your country when you have too. The whole world is in your blood. I'm with you.

All the best… 2 of 2

The #1 cause of injury, disability, and DEATH in America is, Health Care. More people die now from contact with the American Medical Health Care system than from any other cause of death. More than from Cancer, Heart disease, or Stroke. More than any other country in the world. Many times more than any other people in the world. This fact is a catastrophic indictment of the entire US Health Care System.

Driven by greed. And a rush to profit. Thousands of Americans are killed, and injured daily in America. By compromised health care. Cutting corners. Over, and under treatments. And poisonings with all manor of toxic, poisonous pharmaceuticals. Especially the children. America only makes up 2-4% of the world population. But Americans buy, and consume 50% of all pharmaceuticals world wide.

But the tide has turned. I can see it. Hear it. And feel it. The message is getting out. And taking hold about the fact that we have a very serious, and major health care crisis going on in America. Hurting everyone. Especially our precious little children. Rich, and poor alike. And most all Americans seem to understand now that "HR 676 Not For Profit Single Payer Universal National Health Care For All (Medicare For All)" is the way to go. Like all the other developed countries have done. I have seen numbers as high as 90% of Americans want government managed health care Now. Medicare for all. Like other developed countries have. And like older Americans have now.

BRAVO!!! America. YOU GET IT! YOU REALLY GET IT! See sickocure.org.

It's NOW TIME to bring out the BIG GUNS!! The BIG GUNS!! are you. The American people. And anyone else that wants to help. From now until HR 676 is passed into law. I want every person to reach out and touch their fellow Americans every day if you can. I want you to take a phone book. And call at least one of your fellow Americans every day. And ask them to pickup the sword of HR 676 Single Payer Not For Profit Universal Health Care For All (Medicare For All).

Call more than one each day if you can. And ask them to do the same as you are doing if they can. And also to put maximum pressure on their politicians to get HR 676 done. And to make sure their politicians support HR 676. Accept no substitute. HR 676 is a no-brainer. It's the best way to go on health care. It's the only moral, and ethical way to go. That is why every other developed country has done it. Most did it years ago.

I know that many of you have been doing a fabulous job of spreading the word by talking it up with family, friends, and co-workers. And putting pressure on the politicians to get HR 676 done ASAP. The phone calls to your fellow Americans will increase the pressure. And grow the movement at an astonishing, and exponential rate. And I know many of you have been wanting to do something more to help. The phone calls to your fellow Americans is something you can do every day to help.

Trust me. It will be something to see. But you have to keep the focus, and pressure on getting HR 676 passed pronto. They will try to distract you. With all manor of other crises, and catastrophes. And other plans. Don't be distracted. HR 676 Single Payer Not For Profit Universal Health Care is the #1 concern of the American people. Thousands of Americans are dieing daily now. And you or your loved ones could be next.

There is no good reason HR 676 cannot be passed into law well before the coming elections. Do not tolerate delays. If it is not passed before the coming elections. All America will know which politicians are on the side of the American people. And which are not when they vote. Well before the elections.

Everyone can do this. Most of you are well informed about HR 676. This truly is one of those no-brainers. Be considerate of your fellow Americans when you call. But be comfortable about calling. These are your fellow Americans. Some will be receptive. And some will not be. Some maybe rude, and mean. Just thank them, and move on to the next. Most will be with you. And if you get a call from one of your fellow Americans about HR 676. Let them know you are already on board. And thank them for calling. Build them up. And keep them strong. They are fighting for all of us.

I will try to make a second post with just a few of the reasons everyone with 2 working brain cells agrees HR 676 is the best way to go. But you can also look them up for your-self. And read some of the positive informed post on many of the message boards too.

Lastly, I am sick and tired of hearing how the candidates, and politicians health care plans are going to protect, and preserve the private for profit health insurance companies that have been killing, and ripping off the American people. And now the politicians want to mandate (require) that every American has to support the private for profit insurance company's that have been killing, and ripping you off. Or you will be fined, and PENALIZED. Thats right. PENALIZED. Ridiculous! The politicians really think you are all detached idiots. CASH COWS! To lead to the slaughter. Don't put up with that.

So get on it America. Get those phones going. Chat it up! Save some lives. You want all of America talking about HR 676 becoming law, Now! Before more die needlessly. Make it happen. And to my fellow cyber warriors. You have been doing great! I see it! Keep it up. 1 of 2 post…

Terry Alpena–

My God, you're right, if only I'd thought of moving! All I would've needed to do was abandon my job, save up several thousand dollars for first-last-security-realtor's fee, and then probably bought a car, with insurance, etc. etc. I bet that would've save me *tons* of money!

I admitted flat out there are plenty of people who try and game the system. There's also plenty of people who are screwed over by the system, or simply can't take care of themselves. If you're willing to vindictively sacrifice innocent, less fortunate people's health and lives because you don't want to give handouts to the con-artists out there, you're more than an idiot, you're a selfish jerk. And I don't think that's an insult, it's just a descriptor.

Umm why was this story filed today 12/1/2007 but all the comments are from yesterday?? Trying to reignite the story??? This is a blatant play for Clinton how ridiculous

I find it funny that Steve feels the need to call people names like "idiot". If you can't afford to live in BOSTON on your salary there's a simple solution…. move to a cheaper city with a cost of living you can afford!! Giving people something for nothing has never motivated anyone. Michigan is a perfect example. Our state welfare system is highly abused and we have a large % of able-bodied, able-minded people living off public assistance with no intention of getting a job. Ever. And they will tell you this. Forgive me, but I think that's crap to expect me to pay for other's health care. (and I'm 'just' middle class myself, not well-off.

I needed an education, and borrowed money to do so, which I repaid myself. I didn't see anyone giving me a hand-out. Nor did I expect one. And I lived on less than 31K in a large city, so yes, it can be done. Maybe consider this: stop hurling silly insults and concentrate on supporting yourself…

OBAMA has been dishonest with his health care plan and been flip-flopping:

1) Why has he sometimes said his first name is Arabic, and other times Swahili? Why did he make up names in his first book, as the introduction acknowledges? Why did he say two years ago that he would "absolutely" serve out his Senate term, which ends in 2011, and that the idea of him running for president this cycle was "silly" and hype "that's been a little overblown"?

2) Obama flip-flopped on social security. Senator Barack Obama's characterized the highly successful Social Security program as being in "crisis," just nine days after he said the opposite stating that "Social Security is not in crisis."

3) Obama flip-flopped on his “one America” position—in his “one America” speech. He said that while Illinoisans don’t expect the government to solve their problems, Illinoisans are going to kick and scream until the government solves their problems.

4) Obama flip-flopped on Alito ("A filibuster would be a waste" then "OK, I'll support a filibuster as a symbolic gesture") and he flip-flopped on lobbying reform.

5) In one debate at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire, with Tim Russert serving as Moderator, Obama just flip-flopped and stated to Tim Russert that he would "do everthing necessary" to stop Iran from becoming a Nuclear Power. If Senator Obama vacillates on his postion when Tim Russert poses a question to him, what would Obama do or say in tense discussions with World Leaders. I reiterate that Obama lacks Leadership.

6) Obama flip-flopped on the Iraq war. Obama was an opponent of the Iraq War from its inception, when he was an Illinois state senator. But later he also said the U.S. now had an obligation to see the war through. "I don’t think any of us should be rooting for failure in Iraq at this point," he said. "This is no longer George Bush’s war. This is our war." . Obama said he would support sending more troops to Iraq if it would hasten the end of the war. An immediate withdrawal, he said, would create "an extraordinary hotbed of terrorist activity" and be "a slap in the face" to the troops fighting there. However, in January, Obama proposed legislation that would have started pulling out troops in May 2007 with a goal of having all combat troops out by March 31, 2008.

In my opinion, Obama's plan is the only one with a chance of succeeding on the national level. If there's one word that red states HATE to hear, its "mandatory."

While Obama's would make healthcare affordable for everyone by putting all the "stragglers" into one group, you are free to turn it down if you so do choose (if for some reason you feel like paying more…). Thus OBAMA's plan is a GREAT step in the right direction, and the ONLY one that has a CHANCE of getting through Congress.

Why is Hillary so afraid to come out and talk about her 'mandate' and pit her plan up against Obama's. If he says his plan is offered to all on affordability, it makes more sense to me than a mandate. But let's see hers laid out too.

I try to look at the overall qualities of the candidates and how well he or she would do with credibility with world leaders as well as the issues at home. Hillary would be the laughing stock of other countries…she is lousy with no experience. Obama is a good speaker and firm in his ideas and could command respect from other nations's leaders. If Hillary gets nominated, I'm voting Republican no matter who is running!

A nice article from the Huffington Post (of all places)…

A nice article from the Huffington Post (of all places…):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-feinstein/hillary-clinton-more-tha_b_74840.html

Clinton supporters spew hate, Obama supporters spew information, compassion. Supporters are not the candidates, but it is difficult sometimes to separate the feeling that the supporters are influenced by the attitudes of their candidate.

Clinton = division.
Obama = leadership

Independent analyses show that both plans would provide affordable health care insurance to everyone.

That's all. This miniscule detail of mandate or not does matter. Clinton's mandate would be rejected out of hand. Obama;s plan could have bipartisan support.

Obama is the best candidate. And as people learn more, that becomes more clear. That is why Obama is gaining in the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the polls will begin to tighten eventually in SC and the rest of the country following the Iowa caucuses.

Clinton should maintain her 15 to 20 point lead in the national polls until the beginning of January. That is when the Feb 5 States will start to pay attenttion, and that's when the national polls will begin to reflect the Iowa polls.

Yes You Are Right Mr Guinn Mr Obama Is Consistant,A Consistant LIAR,That Has Swayed Idiots Like You In The Wrong Direction,And It Also Seems That Along The Way He Has Brainwashed Half Of America,But Mostly I'am Still Out To Lunch On The White People For Obama Stories.Out Of All People They Were The Less Likely To Support A Candidate Of The Greater Proportion Of His Campaign Is Baseless,And Misdirected To People Who Vote Before They Thing,I Am African-American And I Have Seen From Day One,That Whenever Mr Obama Opens His Mouth He Either Does Not Know What He Is Talking About,Or He Is Continuing His Porteat Of Misdirected Lies That Among Most People I Thought The White Population Would See At Least By Now That Mr Obama Has Not Delivered Anything That He Has Claimed To Be Perceived.And The Most Important Part Of This Debauchary,Is The Man Offers No Solutions Just A lot Of Inuendo.I Knew He Were A LIAR When He Started Talking,Oh Yeah He's A Magnifant Preacher,But That's Were He And Mrs Clinton Differs,She Has The Political Prowess Like It Or Not To Take This Country In The Right Direction,Sure She Has Her Faults,But So Do The Rest Of The Field,You Just Hear More About Her Because It Sells Newspapers And Internet Positions,The Number One Reason According To A Survey Is That People Would Not Vote For Her 25% Said That It Were Because They Just Did Not Like Her.That's A Good Way To Change Our Corporate America,Let's Start Hiring People For The Job Because We Just Plain Out Like Them,But Their Not Qualified,Yeah,But That Didn't Matter When The US Elected Their President Based On His Speeches,He Were By No Means Qualified In Any Thing Except In The Case Of LIEING Maybe…….It Really Scares Me To Think That White & Black Leaders,& Pundits Are Willing To Put A Man In Office That Most Of Us Are Terrified That If He Is Elected Will Invite Major Terrorist Organizations To This Country,It Seems That He Is More Conserned With Military Prison Camps,And Attacking Iran,And For The Vote For The War That Is A Ghost Of A Decision,Considering He Did Not Have A Vote To Give,But His People Fails To Mention This In His Talks About Being The Only One To Get It Right,What Exactly Did He Get Right,The Vote Against The Lieberman-Kyl Resolution That He Made,Oh I'am Sorry I Mean The Vote On The Iran Issue That He So Conviently Missed,And Then He And His Spin Doctors Make It Seem That This Man Is Trustworthy…Not On My Tick Tock

Why is everyone arguing about the specific details of Clinton's and Obama's healthplan NOW? Because this is the strategy of the Clinton campaign. They want to change the subject, they benefit from distracting voters and keeping them misinformed and confused, they want to tar Obama with the impression of dishonesty so we don't notice THEIR dishonesty. THEY DO NOT WANT ANYONE FOCUSING ON THE WAR IN IRAQ, HILLARY'S VOTE TO AUTHORIZE IT OR BILL'S RECENT LIE ABOUT BEING AGAINST IT FROM THE START. Any healthcare proposal is just a proposal! It will not be same after it goes through the legislative process — if we get anything at all. If anyone expects that Hillary will be capable of passing healthcare legislation, I warn you not to hold your breath. She failed once and she will fail again if we are stupid enough to put her in charge. The republicans will see it as their MANDATE to block her efforts. They will not work with the Clintons — EVER. The democrats cannot accomplish anything without some republican cooperation. I think ANY of the other candidates have a better chance of doing something positive in healthcare reform because at the very least they will not have to carry baggage and defend the negative history of the Clintons.

This is a laugh, Hillary accusing someone else of not telling the truth?, What a moron! I like Obama and I will believe him when he become my president!

Hillary Clinton was asked by Katy Couric. What if you are not elected? Hillary says "I WILL BE ELECTED" Katy says well there's always the chance! Hillary looked so mad!

Who does she think she is? We are the voters!!!

If we don't want Hillary or her health plan we don't have to have her. Hillary acts like she is more powerful than the voters !! How arrogant Hillary is wow and to think she will force us to buy her health plan??? I am a disabled vietnam veteran. What is she going to do to me? Fine me for not buying her plan ?? Is she going to put old people in jail for not buying her health care?? To hell with her! I don't care if she is a woman i won't ever vote for her

HILLARY HAS MISREPRESENTED HER OWN PLAN.

HILLARY'S PLAN DOESN'T ACTUALLY "COVER" ANYBODY!!!

HILLARY'S PLAN IS TO MAKE PEOPLE BUY INSURANCE.

KUCINICH IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO WANTS GOVERNMENT PAID HEALTHCARE.

HILLARY HAS MISLEAD EVERYONE INTO THINKING SHE IS OFFERING HEALTHCARE, WHEN IN FACT SHE JUST WANTS TO FORCE YOU TO BUY INSURANCE!!!

Obama is right. The problem isn't that people don't WANT insurance, it's that they can't afford it, and Hillary making it a law that they have to buy it won't magically make them able to afford it.

Hillary is getting so negative. If there is no enforcement on a mandate, how is a mandate different from voluntary? Obama is not criticizing whether the plan should be mandate, but merely that Hillary is not forthright about how to enforce her so-called mandate.

There is not much difference between the two plans, except that Obama's plan will more likely pass Congress. Republicans will kill any plan that is mandatory. There are many Hillary-haters among Republicans, independents, and even democrats. Only Obama can bring the county together on the health care and other issues.

Obama has been dishonest or ignorant with problems with his health care plan.

Along with the usual mishmash of increased subsidies, Obama, has taken the idea of an employer mandate. Obama would establish a "play or pay" system under which employers would be required to provide their workers with health insurance or pay a payroll tax to fund government-provided insurance. There are two big problems with this approach.

1) It flies in the face of basic economics. The amount of compensation a worker receives is a function of his productivity, and an employer is indifferent as to whether that compensation is in the form of wages, taxes, health insurance, or other benefits. Such a mandate simply increases the cost of hiring workers without increasing their productivity. Employers will therefore have to find ways to offset the added costs. This they can do by raising prices, lowering wages or reducing future wage increases, reducing other benefits such as pensions, or hiring fewer workers. Almost certainly, employees will be the net losers under such a mandate, with the low-skilled suffering most.

2) An employer mandate locks us further into an employment-based health insurance system at a time when there is a growing bipartisan consensus that we should be moving in the opposite direction. There is no logical reason for tying health insurance to employment. There are many good reasons for not doing so.

At the same time, he looks right to call for a Massachusetts-style insurance "connector," an idea being promoted by the Heritage Foundation among others. (Obama calls it "an exchange.") The exchange would allow workers to purchase individual health insurance with pre-tax dollars, leveling the playing field for individual insurance and giving workers the chance to buy personal and portable insurance — a good idea. The problem is that "exchanges" are also regulatory bodies. Indeed, Obama wants the "exchange" to regulate all sorts of things, including minimum benefit packages, premium caps, limits on copayments and deductibles, and "standards of quality and efficiency."

Obama would require insurers to cover everyone regardless of their health status and charge community-rated premiums. One goal of health-care reform should be to encourage people to enter the insurance pool while they are young and healthy. We can do this by making insurance inexpensive for them, and penalizing them if they wait to buy insurance when they are old and sick. Community rating and guaranteed issue does precisely the opposite, raising the cost of insurance for the young and healthy and removing any penalty for waiting. Inevitably, this means more young healthy people will make the rational choice to go without insurance. Hillary Clinton (and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, for that matter) dealt with this by mandating that everyone buy insurance. Obama seems unaware of the problem he is creating.

Finally, there is the question of how to pay for all this. Obama does not put a price tag on his plan, but there is no doubt it will be expensive. Indeed, it will almost certainly be far more expensive than he assumes, since his ideas for cost savings are mostly figments of his imagination. For example, Obama assumes that allowing the federal government to directly negotiate Medicare drug prices will yield substantial savings. But the Congressional Budget Office has said that private insurance plans have already reduced drug prices about as far as they can go, and unless the government is prepared to severely restrict drug formularies, denying seniors access to some drugs, further savings are unlikely.

MD Tanner, Washington DC

What an idiot. Who does he expect to pay for this? Me? You? Dems love spending other people's money.

The Clinton News Network (CNN) is at it again! Proclaiming that Sen. Obama's ad is false is a blatant attempt to smear his campaign to help Sen. Clinton. If would have been more appropriate to simply say "disagreement over Sen. Obama's health care ad". First, you plant a Clinton's campaign chair to ask a question at the Republican's debate, and know this. I wonder what is next.

Thanks for not posting my last comment, CNN.

Show me where in the Constitution it says we need universal health care.

I forgot to add the facts. Check them for yourself here:
http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/28/fact_check_clinton_opposed_an.php
Hillary Clinton was against mandated health care before she was for it.

Another example of Hillary Flip Flopping.

Hello old lady, it is time to retire and let the new generation move america forward.

Hillary Clinton was against mandated health care before she was for it.

Another example of Hillary Flip Flopping.

Hello old lady, it is time to retire and let the new generation move america forward.

Lakeisha Deshawn Iowa

THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT !!!

Did someone said that Obama did a great speech yestoday ? That is all he can do. This guy is nothing but a speech guy, copy little bit here, little bit there and make them his, hust like all his plans, lack of deep solutions and vision. He is always the one wait for the wind, tons of his records show that he lack of judgement and leadership. America need to open your eyes and do not waist your vote. Some insider from Republicans even disclosed that If Obama wins the nominee, the next president is for sure a Republican. Obama stands no chance at all. He has nothing to show us that he can be the leader of this country.

For all those Obama lovers, Please stop complaining about how CNN not fair. I think CNN did great job. You should think and ask yourself because you sure support a wrong candidate.

CNN, why are you renewing this story. It came out early yesterday morning, and yet you have a "posted" date of 12/1/07. Shame on you CNN for trying to keep this non-story alive.

Laura ShutUp!

Hillary's plan is just unrealistic. Forcing people to sign for coverage is not an American way. What if people cannot afford to buy the insurance even if she can bring down teh cost very low. What will be the punishment to not to be able to get the insurance? Is she talking about Government owned health care system. I am not sure…It is unclear as everything else she talks about.

I personally think Hillary paid Cnn to do the advertising for her or he has a huge share of the stocks with them. She is controlling the media. What a crap!

Remove this CNN, you are overshadowing Obama positives with hate. Your headline is misleading and you need to know we are not stupid!

Wow, what a hate from CNN. This post has been here for two days. CLINTON, NEWS,NETWORK for heavenly sake!

My private sector health insurance company rejected my doctor's request for a test that should be done for all men over age 50. It also refused to pay $2,400 for treatments I proved were exempt from the "preexisting condition" exclusion it used to deny the claim. If I have to choose a health care system that answers to Wall Street and a government-run system that answers to the public good, I'll take government-run health care hands down.

Every day, more andmore, Obama plays race card. He tries to pose himself as a 'civil right" leader – whom he never was, trying to get around black figures , including such a shameful as Sharpton and his suporters cite his race as a main factor to make a decision. Listen to Chris Rock – "how could you vote for white woman"or something like that; I read some of the "black leaders" said that it's white people governed in america, now i's time for black. This is sad and ridiculous. Worse of it, this is stupid. OK, it might improve his chances in primaries in black states. There are many people stupid enough (and we see their postings here) to vote for him simply bacause he has a black skin – yeah, right, son of white woman with african (not even african-american) father and muslim grandfather, millionair lawyer is really close to black commiunity, isn't he? Well, in general elections repuvblicans will play this card along since he started it and guess how South and all the swinging states vote? Blacks still just 15% of the population and if change in racial dominance is touted from one side, I bet you that non-blacks will vote on the other side. Obama doesn't have a good message, he and his supporters just playing race (an racist) card.

FACE IT, OPRAH! Obama doesn't have a single 'clue!' How can an above-board and worldly person, such as yourself, support a man who has NO IDEA about the Economics Structure in this country… or any idea, whatsoever, about Foreign Policy Affairs? Obama is an untrained, ill-informed man with a decent education. WHERE is his experience? We do NOT need a 'maverick' President! Obama is too weak. Anyone BUT Hillary and Obama!

Rather interesting that most in favor of Obama's plan respond touting its benefits where as the Clinton supporters just issue blind attacks on non-pertinent issues and repeat Hillary campaign slogans. READ the plans and compare. As many have stated, mandates for something like healthcare coverage simply won't work- will be uber-expensive to implement, require more bureaucracy, removes consumer choice, etc. It will NOT lower the cost of healthcare, which is the ROOT of the problem, but instead push costs higher.
And just WHO do the Hillary Clinton campaign think they are? Ordering their rivals to "take down ads"? So are they expecting a "Yes, ma'am?" from the Obama campaign, after all they DESERVE to get the nomination?!? Better go fly a kite!! Why not confront the issue with your own ad?!? I don't want to see this sort of midget mindedness in the White House!! Learn your ABCs – Anyone But Clinton in '08!!

In Colorado we are working to have candidates that do have an approach to cover everyone for health Care.

The Single-Payer approach will provide better health care to everyone for less money than any other plan by eliminating the 20 to 30 percent overhead going to the health insurance companies.

http://www.HealthCareForAllColorado.org

As the primaries get closer, there will be a lot of attempts by some of the candidates (mostly one who has a history of manipulating the truth) to distort data.

Make sure that you are informed with the facts. You can't rely on information found in the press, that has misleading headlines which are purposely written to grab your attention. Arm yourself with the facts:

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/

Let's restore truth and honesty to government. We can't afford another 8 years of dishonesty and misrepresentation of fact. If the candidate is misrepresenting facts in the lead up to the election, they will continue to do so if elected.

Let's give America back to the people.

Obama 2008

Hillary has been fighting all her life for health care reform, and is the most knowledgable about the health care industry. Obama has not told us how he will pay for his health care plan. He has only gave hope in his speech, not any facts to support his plan. It is good to hope, but hope only gets you so far. At least Hillary has gave a solid plan about how we will fund the program.

Obama lacks experience

I'd just like to say, and I resort to this kind of thing infrequently, all you people claiming that all those uninsured Americans really can afford healthcare are idiots. Flat-out idiots. A couple of years ago I lived in Boston, editing textbooks for children, and I made 17 bucks an hour, which worked out to about 31K a year at my employer's 35-hour week. My employer didn't provide health insurance. My rent was $1,000 bucks a month–not because I lived anywhere nice (my apartment was about 200 square feet total), but because Boston is a stupidly expensive place to live. So 31K, after taxes more like 24K, about 2K a month and half of that immediately went to rent. I'm living on a grand a month. Take out utilities and groceries, and I'm down to maybe $600 bucks. Take out the cost of my public transportation, and I'm down to $450 bucks. Even IF I could then buy insurance with that money (and given the cost of insurance, it'd have to be pretty crappy) that leaves me *no money* for buying things like, say, clothes to wear to work, or any other extraordinary expense that come along now and again.

I made *triple the federal minimum wage* (and double the state minimum wage) and I couldn't afford jack. 31K is *not* that far below average, certainly not for a 23-year-old. (and young people are among the least insured in the country)

Are there people who could afford insurance and don't buy it? Of course. But if you think a majority of the uninsured are just too busy buying iPods and designer clothes to worry about their health, I repeat: you are an idiot.

"The truth is, Barack Obama would offer health coverage to every single American who can't afford it, and he'll do it by bringing Republicans and Democrats together like he's done before.

Where have we heard this before, during the first George W. Bush campaign?

Oh, come now! A politician accusing another politician of being untruthful is becoming a little extreme, wouldn't one think? It's a little like the pot calling the kettle — er, black.

The Obama Health Insurance Plan Covers More People More Rapidly Than The Clinton Plan Does:

http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/30/post_2.php

Clinton Opposed an Individual Mandate in 1993:
http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/28/fact_check_clinton_opposed_an.php

Clinton Said An Individual Mandate Might Not Work; Pointed to Example of Mandatory Auto Insurance. In her speech to the Group Health Association of America, Clinton pointed to mandatory auto insurance requirements as a reason why the individual mandate might not work. She said, "[T]he only examples we have of individual mandates are those like auto insurance requirements in many states where, in spite of the fact that the state has access to all drivers through the licensing process, literally thousands and even hundreds of thousands of drivers remain uninsured in states with such an individual mandate." [Speech to the Group Health Association of America, 2/15/94]

GOOD LUCK AMERICA WILL TAKE 20 YEARS TO GET CLOSE TO CANADA'S FREE FREE FREE HEALTH CARE! THANK YOU MR. HARPER. THE FACT IS AMERICAN SEE FREE HEALTH CARE AS SOCIALISM, AND NOT SAVING AMERICAN LIFE. PLUS AMERICA IS BANKRUPT THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO GIVE FREE HEALTH CARE TO THE POOR OR THE ILLEGAL ALIENS BY THE TENS OF MILLIONS… THANK GOD CANADA IS NOT AMERICA SINCE WE WON THE WAR OF 1812! FACT!

I find it interesting that people keep claiming they can't afford health care. Give me a break. I see these same people driving brand new $50K SUVs that guzzle premium gasoline, have 3-4 cars in their driveway, plasma TVs, iPODs, computers and designer clothes. Wake up people! The vast majority of people in this country have their prioities all wrong. If you want health care, make it a priority and pay that first before you buy yet another $200 pair of jeans or get your subprime home loan so you can live in a mansion you can't hope to afford. Once frivolous self-indulgence has ended- THEN come to me about "free" health care. I used to live on very meager earnings, yet I searched and found a plan I could afford. It's possible if you take responsibility for your own life and not rely on a hand-out. While I'm at it- I'd like to also point out we're the fattest nation. That increases health care costs beyond any other factor. Let's start taking responsibility for ourselves and our nation and lost some weight. (and get a job)

Both camps are really hurting themselves by this act and react responses!
Its a shame that in reality all this does is reaffirm that we will get exactly what we dont need in 09′

THE STATUS QOU!

Hillary Clinton is a Rodham. The Rodham family owns and owned much of what is New York State. They are land barons and globalists. She has many friends and connections with the Jewish mafia (among other globalist institutions) which is not a bad thing if you want to be President of the United States. New York City is the capital of the world there are many powerful allies, her election as President was decided in 2006 by the Bilderbergs. All Hail the New World Order.

Hillary is the Queen Of False(and thus nothing) and CNN is her mouthpiece.

Thank heavens the hostages are safe and that incident over. However, there's another hostage situation in the works that wants to force you do something and, if you don't, your paycheck gets hit. It's "Harry and Louise II" by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The ridiculous "demand" by her campaign that Obama "take down" his ad smacks of desperation. Fact is that no "mandated" health plan will ever pass Congress. The public outcry will be so large that we'll be stuck with the status quo.

Obama's is the only plan that has a chance of passage. 100% is an elusive goal and will never be met. Clinton's shown she's learned nothing from her "crash and burn" in 1994 and has forfeited any credibility on the issue.

For our Canadian freinds, if your care is so good, why do we see so many of you at our Northern New England hospitals? Answer is that you can't schedule the surgery at home.

The weeks ahead will decide who the nominee is in both parties. Clinton's health plan will be and is taking a hit. In the end, it's Romney's "mandated" health plan in Massachusetts that thousands have rejected. Better get Wolfson and Penn back to the drawing board.

It is highly irresponsible of CNN to title this article with Clinton's claim as if it were fact. A few quotations are not sufficient. With every passing day CNN validates the old Right wing phase Clinton News Network.

To: All Hillary Lovers

How is Hillary going to make people get healthcare?

Contrary to what you all are saying, she has not told us. She said it would be mandatory

Will she fine people? The people that can't afford healthcare. That seems fair!

Will she jail them?

I know, she will threaten to introduce her husband to their daughters.

That threat could make me do quite a bit!

Obama’s health care plan is a dog's breakfast of bad ideas from Left, Right, and center, topped with an unhealthy amount of wishful thinking. If enacted it would cost Americans dearly — in higher taxes, lost jobs, reduced freedom of choice, and lower quality health care.

Obama bragged that, "[m]y plan begins by covering every American." But it doesn't. To say otherwise is rhetorical overreach, the appropriation of a popular and broadly-supported goal without an attendant mechanism for achieving it.
There are a few ways to achieve universal health care. You can create a single-payer plan that enrolls the population automatically. This is what Canada does, and how Medicare covers the elderly. You can create an employer mandate, where the primary responsibility falls on workplaces, and smaller mandates mop up the remainder. That was the approach showcased in the Clinton reforms of the early '90s. You can create an individual mandate that charges every American with procuring health insurance, and penalizes them if they don't. This is the approach favored by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts, Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, Ron Wyden in the Senate, and John Edwards in the presidential campaign. Obama's plan offers none of these approaches.
Instead, it seeks to make care cheaper and more accessible, assuming that, if it succeeds — and that's a big if — Americans will enroll of their own volition. It is a plan with the potential to be universal, rather than a universal plan.

In that respect, it is very much like Obama himself, a candidate of almosts, lack of audacity, full of hope but not deliverable.

"Why, Chicken Little, do you prefer Bush's imitation of early 30s Nazi Germany better?"

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Talk about the "pot calling the kettle black". What mindless chatter, something we can all do without! Frankly,it will be good when Bush leaves office: it will be an opportunity for us ALL to come together. DON'T BLOW IT BY NOMINATING/ELECTING HILLARY CLINTON. Her coronation will be more of the same hostile partisanship, PLUS socialism…it should be amply illustrated to all by now that the Govt does very few things well.

During the hostage crisis, Hillary immediately stopped what she was doing, cancelled an important speech at the DNC, showed her care, compassion and warmth for ALL candidates’ workers, WHAT A TRUE PROFESSIONAL CLASSY FIRST LADY AND PRESIDENT IN 2008…
For all you mothers out there, Please vote for Hillary, we have let these old men ruin out great country, let a Woman show them how it can be done without a war or back yard politics like obama is playing…

If you let a celebrity like oprah, influence your decision, SHAME on you! You will be selling out your country and your children’s health care and future. If you recently read the article that employees of HARPO prod, said she is power hungry! She would spent every penny to buy a black president and get her foot in the white house, I MOST DEFINITLY WOULD NOT want oprah making any decisions for this country, she wants in the white house anyway she can, we have seem that before. How do you think bush was elected a second time! We the American people! DO NOT have the time to teach obama/oprah how to be a politician, this great country in is need of someone who can hit the floor running in 2008, because the American people do not know all the damage BUSH/CHANEY has really done because they are liars and dishonest and should be IMPEACHED. ALL of the republicans stood back, took the money and let these two stooges almost destroy our great country, is why republicans will loose most likely every election this time around.
Clintons have already very successfully cleaned up a bush mess. WE HAVE SEEN THEY CAN DO IT!
Clinton is the Smart and only choice in 2008. Id like to see John Edwards as her VP or Bill Richardson. Obama is the only self proclaimed democrat running like a republican. Send this guy back to school, Oprahs school…

The irony here is that Obama's ad isn't slandering anyone. Clinton is slandering the ad. I thought politicians had to make ads to throw a hissy fit.

Hillary's plan to coerce Americans into socialized medicine doesn't mean that any coverage will be universal. It will result in the best medical care being truely affordable only for the wealthiest (look at Canada and the UK for example). Health care is mandated in Cuba as well, anyone want to go there for surgery?

Obama's plan is well thought out and offers choice. Clinton's plan offers only a big tax hike.

Lets break down Hillary's insurance for everyone bid.

You require health insurance for everyone though how Congress has theirs. It will definitely need to be tweaked, but that is something they are going to work on and work out. Now, you will ALSO have the option to purchase other insurance outside of the government.

What does this do? Simple, it lowers the cost of insurance. They are going to have insurance packages for all kinds of income. You aren't going to be forced to pay a really ridiculous bill for it.

That stimulates the insurance economy and would lower the costs.

O yea, lets vote for Rudy. Just below this on the Ticker it exmplains how Rudy wants to start Cold War II to oppose Putin– real smart. I love a good old Arms Race!!!

Obama's plan is simply much better. There are more than 300 million americans in this country- 15 not covered is 5 percent of the country. So A: if 95 percent of the country is covered for free is that not pretty darn good? and B: There are going to be at least 15 million people who simply want to pay for their own healthcare bc it will be better than the government subsidized version. Any 'universal' healthcare plan will not cover everyone, because not everyone requires assistance in payng for healthcare. Hilary is playing a word game while Barack is actually trying to make this happens.

I have been following your coverage of presidential candidates and I find that you are biased towards the woman candidate. You have nothing but negative comments to make about her campaign and seem to favor the males…specifically Obama. I thought you more objective and fair about your coverage, but I was wrong.

Obama is jokes…don’t waste your time even listening to his lies. He cannot come up with one solution on his own; he takes from his opponents and reports it as his own. He has no health care plan, he’s running scared of Clinton… WE ALL understand why he copies Clinton and that’s ok, WE ARE VOTING FOR THE CLEAR LEADER WHICH IS HILLARY, NOT THE FOLLOWER…Obama Winphrey….

Strange that Obama cannot even get healthcare for everyone in his home state of Illinois. Also ironic that his mother was more worried about paying medical bills then her health. So many WORKING people without health insurance, NOT getting medical help because they cannot afford it.
Perhaps before Oprah jumps on the bandwagon, she could give uninsured working AMERICANS some cash instead of focusing her money in Africa!
Just a thought

Hey CNN, rather than quoting each campaign, how about you RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND REPORT ON WHETHER OR NOT THE AD IS, IN FACT, "FALSE"?

If the Clinton campaign claims that the claim is "demonstrably false", why not, you know, make the effort and see if you can demonstrate it.

YOUR COVERAGE IS SUCH FLUFF.

Forcing people to buy something they can not afford is not a universal health care plan. It is a universal make all health insurance companies richer plan.

I can understand forcing people who own cars to have insurance, that makes sense. But a lot of people simply can't afford health care insurance, and forcing them to buy it is not helping them at all.

This is just another way to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

FACT: The Roman Empiricals have been waging 2000 years of WAR.

Hidden behind these resubliminalizations of context:
WATER INTO WINE
TWO FISH FIVE LOAVES
FISH EXHUMED TO COLLECT TAX

Yet, we still go ahead and pay back preponderated debt, NAMELY:

CORPORATE CHANGE-UP to GOLDEN DEBT.

How does that fit in with your healthcare plan?

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Why do you say "False"? That is an opinion. You, a news organization are NOT to state your opinion. Unless you want to put your opponents name on your web site and the word "False" next to it. Clinton News Network.

Doug, Brentwood, CA, you are right, Obama misleads us, his supporters lost their mind so they don't realize Obama is a liar. I remember that Hillary pointed out Obama's plan leave behind 15 millions uncovered at Debate, Obama cheats his supporters. This guy is dirty fellow, Democrats should disqualify Obama, BIG LIAR.

I can't trust Obama because he lies and change whatever is good for him after other candidate's plan. His health care plan doesn't cover everybody, Hillary pointed this at Debate, Obama didn't deny or explain. His advisor told public Obama may consider about covering everybody later when it was pointed out by Hillary, now Obama adopted Hillary's plan and said his plan covers everybody, he is dishonest and liar. He is dirtier and older candidate than any other candidates.

Obama talks the talk, but does not have a clue how to walk the walk. This man has absouletly no clue, or experience (lol…not counting his childhood) needed to bring our country back. I am sure he is a good man, meaning well, but is too inexperienced at this point in time. This election is so very important to American citizens…we need a leader, not someone who is just finding their way in government. As for his healthcare proposal….will not work, nor will Hillary's…we need, as Americans to insist that socialized (yes, I said it!) medicine/healthcare is mandatory in this country. These politicans are trying, but they need to understand that placing a fine on American citizens who cannot afford health insurance to begin with, and will not be able to afford it even with the imposed fines…is not the way to go! What will these citizens do….drop their car insurance, lose their jobs, etc. so they can pay for health insurance? Do not even want to hear from you citizens with the elite health insurance (which you can lose at any time) saying your fellow Americans should not buy goofy things like CD's, DVD's, Cell phones, etc….believe me…your fellow citizens cannot afford that junk anyway.

RE: Universal Healthcare:
"Why not have everyone go to the grocery store for FREE, and have the government pay for it. Socialism does not work. The people working will only support those too lazy to work for so long, then the system falls apart.
>>>>> Posted By John, Columbia, SC"

Bravo, John! You're right. If these stupid jerks can't afford healthcare, let 'em die! It's a much better system, and part of our DEEP SEATED VALUES as American capitalists.

You're a brilliant and compassionate man, on par with Mother Theresa, except the Bizarro Superman world opposite of her.

Luckily, in your well-reasoned argument, you took into account the fixed, criminal nature of our current healthcare system and the soulless corporate crapheads that suck every fraction of a penny in profit they can, denying coverage, defrauding thousands with coverage by not paying claims,…

What a masterful job, John! May the peasants rise and perforate you with their pitchforks!

They will, however, be shocked at the black blood.

"Wake up America before this lady transform america into Russia.
Posted By Michael, NY "

Why, Chicken Little, do you prefer Bush's imitation of early 30s Nazi Germany better?

We need to transform into SOMEthing different when Howdy Doody finally leaves to the hisses and boos of a society who knows a power-mad, yet stupid, puppet of a leader when they finally comprehend one.

Clinton got some surprisingly good news today when a new Alabama poll has her very competitive, within 5% of the top Republicans! In one of the reddest states in the country! Link.

Fine, Barack, you want a simple solution to a health care mandate:

When someone files their taxes they need to show proof of health insurance. If they don't have proof of health insurance, then you will automatically be enrolled in one of the "America Choices" plans (after which, you can file your taxes). No penalty assessment will be needed. That took about a few seconds to come up…

Now, will you please explain why your health plan is so weak, certainly as compared to Hillary Clinton's. Her plan seeks to lower costs in a more effective and robust fashion, and her plan requires the mandate which ultimately will lower the cost for EVERYONE by increasing the insured pool. By the way, if you can't afford the insurance (even after the lowered costs), guess what, she has tax breaks and federal aid to help those folks out.

Is CNN the acronym for Clinton News Network. They captioned the story as though Obama's ad was false, when they shoud have said that the Clinton campaing said that it was false. CNN is carrying the Clinton's water, and kissing their feet.

I read both candidates health care plans that were on their web sites. Obama's looks very well planed and thought out.
There is everything from catastrophic illnesses to school children and over weight problems.
Hillary's "plan" isn't really a plan at all, she doesn't explain how she is going to do anything other than tax cuts for this or that. But if you don't fall into one of her categories you still have to pay.
Being an American I prefer a choice, which Obama's gives. Stay with what you have, go through your state if they have one or go through the national plan he proposes.
He even encourages states to continue to work on their plans.

Obama's is much more realistic and forthright. Hillary's is very ambiguous
in many respects. To top it off she is making it mandatory under penalty (of arrest or fine?) but not telling you
what you will be getting. She doesn't exactly instill confidence with her "trust me I know best" plan.

Clinton's plan is awful! Have you read it and compared it to Obama's.

Obama has made the better proposal. Clinton is really hurting herself by bringing attention to this issue, because when you compare the two plans, it is clear that Obama's makes sense and Clinton's is a potential disaster.

Obama is changing people's minds in Iowa for a reason folks, he has better ideas and is a better leader than we've seen in a very long time.

The person who took hostages in Hillary's offices did so because he couldn't afford to pay for pychiatric help. I hope that will send a message to her.

If you can't afford healthcare then you will be fined. Doesn't make sense

MANDATED INSURANCE – Edwards and Clinton (who stole Edwards' idea to begin with):

When Americans file their income taxes, they would be required to submit a letter from an insurance provider confirming coverage for themselves and their dependents.

If someone did not submit proof of coverage, the Internal Revenue Service would notify a newly established regional or state-based health-care agency [which] would enroll the individual into the lowest cost health-care plan available in that area….The newly covered individual would not only have access to health benefits but would also be responsible for making monthly payments with the help of a tax credit.

….If a person did not meet his or her monthly financial obligation for a set period of time (perhaps a year, perhaps longer) the plan would empower the federal government to garnish an individual's wages for purposes of collecting "back premiums with interest and collection costs."

If anyone wants free healthcare just come to CA and walk into any ER room, works for the illegals just fine.

No questions asked.

It is also universal, covers anyone and everyone.

They just add the cost to your tax bill.

To those of you who think Obama is lying and to those of you who have obviously done ZERO research on both plans:

Obama says his plan will cover everyone. It will. Problem is not everyone will buy it, therefore not everyone will be covered. Poorly stated. He means everyone will have the opportunity to have healthcare because it will be affordable and availible to all.

Mrs. Clinton says her plan is universal and everyone will have healthcare because it is mandated. FALSE. A mandate needs to be enforced. Just because it is mandated doesn't mean all of a sudden everyone will buy into the plan–some people will still not be able to afford it and some simply will not buy into it. Those who do not buy it are breaking the law and therefore will be punished. That means a fine? Jailtime? What? Mrs. Clinton doesn't have and answer for that.

The real fact is this: Nobody's plan is universal and not everyone will be covered. Sen. Obama's plan gives everyone, in one way or another, the opportunity to have healthcare coverage. Whether they take it is their choice, but they cannot say they don't have coverage because they don't have the means or can't afford it.

I am not here to offend anyone but I am myself offended at the sheer ignorance and shallowness of some of these posts. How anyone can take these issues, ads or political comments at face value and decide they know what is going on is beyond comprehention. At the end of the day you'll find Sen. Obama's plans and ideals to be in the best interest of everyone on this planet. We have to take babysteps before we can walk. It can't all be done and cured overnight. If it could why hasn't anyone mandated WEALTHcare coverage or outlawed poverty??

Don't take Hillary's word for it, take Krugman's:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/opinion/30krugman.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Eric, from the state of Texas:

1: Are you trying to equate health insurance with an iPod? Please. The government already pays *universally* to protect the citizenry from muggers and terrorists, why not cancer and heart disease? Guess which of these options kills the most people.

2: None of the big three Democratic candidates has proposed NHS-style socialized medicine. In fact, they probably should. Americans pay more for their health care than anyone else in the world, yet receive care that ranks between "marginally better than the average industrialized nation" to "significantly worse than the average industrialized nation." I know this goes against the common "the free market is good for everything!" wisdom, but private health care is LESS efficient dollar-for-dollar–it costs the average American MORE. Studies have shown this repeatedly. The fact is, insurance companies do not need to be a part of the healthcare equation, and cutting them out would reduce bureaucracy, fear of not being treated, fear of being financially wiped out by treatment, *and* their hefty profit margin from the burden placed on the American taxpayer. If you're unwilling to save time, money, and lives by socializing medicine, then you're putting your extremist ideology above the interests of the American people.

Every day another false attack. Obama isnt fighting Clinton, he is defending himself.

Every time a presidential election looms in the near future, an issue or two become highlights of the potential candidates. This time around is no different, with several issues at hand, health insurance included.
The fact is, "your Government" doesn't believe the health care system is broken or dysfunctional in the least. They couldn't give a rats ass whether you are insured are not.
What they do in fact care about, is how they can squeeze money out of folks that already claim they can't afford health insurance. Whenever there are dollars left on the table, "your Government" will gladly scoop them up.
Big Insurance doesn't have a worry in the world. Americans are scared to death of any type of Government funded health care. If the Government truly cared, the Insurance lobby would be booted out of Capital Hill on their money grubbing hind-ends, and Government would immediately regulate how much a citizens premium would cost.
What will mandating that everyone have health care solve? Nothing. Nothing other than further feeding the coffers of the already criminal Insurance Organizations.

For those who think everyone can afford health care,you don't know what you are talking about.

I want to divorce my wife, Kathy. I can't.

She had breast cancer and if I divorce her, she won't be covered under my insurance.

No insurance company will sell her insurance at any price – believe me we've looked.

I've been living away from home for three years, and am now living with and sleeping with another woman, but I'm still married to Kathy. This is a sin, but I have no choice. Kathy lives every day feeling she has lost some of her dignity. Thanks American Health Insurance industry. And thanks to all of you hypocrites posting here.

Obama's plan works for me. Clinton's plan will never get passed. She doesn't have the common sense to realize this.

I SAW THE DEABTE AND I KNOW HOW SHE IS GOING TO DO IT ,AND IT WAS SAID THEN HIS DID NOT COVER EVERYONE AND OBAMA DIDNT SAY A WORD,,I CAN NOT TRUST THIS GUY AND NEITHER SHOULD SMART AMERICA

my son is serving in IRAQ, I want to know why the only message and response i can get from a presidential canditate is a instant email scripted response asking for a contribution..MY son is in IRAQ and not sleeping as good as me , you or any of our CANDIDATES..I have a message and want it to be HEARD.. from Iraq and this WAR to the Health Care industry and why is it all lost in this country? I have been in the health care industry for 25 years and know the crisis, and I know the crisis in IRAQ, Let the mothers speak on CNN Get the Mothers point of view for this country Larry, we do not get a response from any republican, democratic candidate even thought they placed our children, husbands, mothers and wifes in HARM WAY..we deserve a voice..Just ask why they do not hire correspondence to answer emails and why we are a Voice unheard it is Called "Mothers of IRAQ HEROs's Unknown TO the United States of America"

All you Clintonions are living On MARS if you think Hillary's welfare plan has a chance to be voted in, Barks plan is the only true plan that would get Bi-party support, in case you haven't noticed you have to have more people to vote for it than against it to be signed into LAW!!!!!!!!!!!

OBAMA 08 He just makes more since than Hillary everyone has to admit that.

CNN, you need to stop acting like we are all morons and cannot see through the deceptive title you listed. It really makes you no better than FOX when you do that. It's really quite amazing that Obama has done as well as he has considering the uphill battle the media has added to the equation.

CNN=Cliniton News Network

Vicky & Cecilia:
Honestly, did you just crawl out of a cave? I've been reading these posts and all I can say is, "thank God some of these people aren't running for president!"

I want to ask some of you to think for a minute.

Lets take the words MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE into consideration…As I understand the qualifications for being president are to be a natural born citizen who is 35 years of age and never convicted of a felony. Therefore everyone running for president is just as "qualified".

Lets take a look at the words "most experienced candidate". In 11 years as a legislator Barack Obama passed landmark ethics reform on both the state and federal level. BTW Barack AUTHORED those bills. Oh yea barack opposed the war from the start.

In eight years as first lady Hillary clinton met with a lot of people, became a campainging legend and failed at getting healthcare.

In her seven years as a senator she voted with bush on the war and is still voting with bush…

I don't want a candidate who is READY to push their outdated, corrupt agenda from DAY ONE.

I want change we can believe in, and the moral stength and judgement to do the right thing from day one.

Any logical retorts?

This suddenly important argument with Obama's healthplan is merely a smokescreen Clinton II is putting up to distract the public from the most important issue facing this country — what to do about the Iraq war, Iran and the war on terrorism. They don't want voters to focus on this because BOTH of the Clinton's supported the war and will continue with the same stupid policies that brought about the mess we are in. Isn't it strange that this supposedly "false" commercial has been out for over a month and they just now get around to making an issue of it? Seems Bill's LIE about being against the war from the start is a bit of a problem for their campaign. So is Hillary's vote on IRAQ AND IRAN. So change the subject! And they aren't just disagreeing with the Obama's policies — they are framing the issue as if its about his integrity — JUST LOOK AT WHO IS CALLING OBAMA A LIAR! The chuztpah of these people is beyond belief and utterly contemptible as are the Clinton lapdogs at CNN who chose to run a purposely misleading headline. I used to wonder why the republicans hated the Clintons so much — but the way they are running their current campaign is making it crystal clear to me. The fact is that any of these healthcare proposals will have to go through the legislative process where compromise is the name of the game. Any proposal will change significantly if it even survives. Mandates will never pass muster with republicans — and if its Hillary pushing it, you can bet they will have their OWN MANDATE to make sure she does not succeed to enact ANY healthcare law. We've all been here before. She failed once and miserably and she will fail again because she is so without respect for others. Here I am — a lifelong democrat — and this is how I have come to feel about the Clintons. DISGUST.

Vicky & Cecelia:
Did you two just crawl out of a cave?
I have been reading these posts and can only thank God that some of these people are not running got President!

The number of 15 Million people left uncovered by Obama's plan is a number that Hillary made up. You guys heard her say that, and now you are assuming Obama "admits" it is true. It is not true and he does not say it is. It is an assumption on Hillary's part based on something someone told her. Obama has said that if people still don't buy health care after he makes it so they can afford it, he will do whatever it takes to bring those people in. At least make an attempt to find out the truth before you believe everything you hear.

I want the exact life long healthcare plan that my employee (Congress) has created for him/herself! If I can't have that, my employee shouldn't either.

JUST TO MAKE IT SIMPLE TO EVERYONE:

OBAMA CAN THROW YOU A GOOD SPEECH TO MAKE YOU FEEL EXCITED, BUT NOTHING FOLLOW UP

OBAMA CAN PROPOSE A PLAN, AND THEN NEED SOMEONE ELSE TO BACK HIM UP

OBAMA CAN MISLEAD YOU AND YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZED THAT YOU ARE FOOLED.

HILLARY CAN MAKE A SPEECH AND THEN MAKE YOU THINK

HILLARY CAN PROPOSE A PLAN AND THEN GIVE YOU 1,2,3 TO THE SOLUTION

HILLARY CAN LEAD YOU AND SHOW YOU HOW NOT TO BE MISLED OFFTRACK.

ONE IS A STUDENT – OBAMA
ONE IS A TEACHER – HILLARY

ELECT OBAMA – SHALLOW promise
ELECT HILLARY – REAL HOPE AND REAL CHANGE

HILLARY 08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barack's plan, if I understand it correctly, is to offer government subsidized co-pays to persons who cannot afford to pay the full price for their health insurance. This makes sense to me. I do NOT want health care given away while I pay full price and higher taxes.

While these subsidies come from taxpayer's pockets, the people on the receiving end of this health care plan are probably working but not earning enough to pay full price – thus they are paying taxes too!

In addition, many health insurance companies are now shifting their premiums to a variable, structured system comparable to car insurance. If you are healthy, a non-smoker, keep healthy cholesterol levels, and can show that you exercise on a regular basis, then your premiums are lower than someone who is not healthy, a smoker, etc. This makes sense as well.

I wish people would stop dividing by party lines and take a look at the candidates for what they stand for. Oh, and if you are on here commenting you BETTER be planning on caucusing or at least voting. Otherwise you have no right to even share a thought about it.

It it doesn't cover EVERY AMERICAN it is NOT UNIVERSAL!

Obama's lies are SO BLATANT he is not the president I want to elect!

I think clinton and obama need to find something better to do with their time than attack each other. The reality is even though clinton and obama are the top contenders I think they are probably some of the worst choices. Edwards and Kucinich have actual real plans of healthcare and a realistic way of paying for it. Clinton and Obama are fall of false promises with no real clear plans of how to make health care work.

Nice snipe job by CNN here, you guys paid directly by Clinton ? Or is this just free advertising for her ?

ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS HILLARY GOING TO HAVE ME THROWN IN JAIL IF I CANT AFFORD TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE?

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!!

I don't think I want either one of their plans. I want free, universal coverage, like many other nations currently enjoy. Our present system caters to greed rather than health, and is a complex nightmare. It pits people against other people in matters literally of life and death. It's like getting all the bad effects of free market economics, without any of the usual benefits, like low cost.

Before you ask – yes, I think the government would do a much better job. I worked for the healthcare insurance industry, and I've seen the waste in that world firsthand.

For those who are stating that free, universal, single-payer, government provided healthcare "isn't possible", is a "disaster", or other such statements, can you please provide your sources? And I'm not talking about right-wing commentators – I'm talking about studies, polls, etc. Honestly, if you have proof, I'd like to see it. From where I sit, what many other nations have done would work a lot better than the greed-based mess we've gotten ourselves into. Please, tell me how I'm wrong.

Nothing is "free" – we, as a society, would pay for it. And I'm ready. For those who aren't, look around you – this mess is only going to get worse. I hope both Obama and Clinton come to realize that putting band-aids on this situation is not the answer.

I am fascinated by the degree of ignorance in the comments and in the emotional baiting. The vitriol expressed by those who lean to the Democratic party directed towards other Democratic candidates nauseates me. If you are going to make a statement then back it up with some data, instead of lobbing insults. If those with democratic leanings can't remain level headed and excercise a degree of intelligent discussion without resorting to insults, then vote for a neo-fascist Republican candidate in 2008. I, a Democrat, thought after 8 years of this current and dismal elitist administration would have learned our lessons, in trying to understand complex and difficult issues by maintaining a degree of civility. All that I have seen from my fellow Democrats, participating in the blogs, is vile and foaming-at-the-mouth gestures presented as a form of discourse similar to Limbaugh, Coulter, Malkin, or O'Reilly.

You can't mandate that people have health coverage, Hillary. Just because you use the word "mandate" doesn't mean all of a sudden every homeless person with a quarter in his or her pocket can suddenly afford health care.

I agree with those who say WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU PAYING MONEY FOR? PAY your health insurance FIRST every month and viola !! you CAN afford it!

I am a registered democratic and I have never seen so much bickering among the democratic candidates especially between Hillary and Obama.

This time I will be crossing party lines and voting for Rudy. Moderately liberal and fiscally conversative.

Mr. Obama's healthcare ad was running in NH for the first time this week. Leeland Eisenberg took hostages today, Nov 30, to speak to Sen. Clinton about this particular issue. Is this a coincidence?

Out of 300 million people in this country and these are the best candidates we can come up with???Maybe its time to go on T.V. and create a new show like Star Search.It would be cheaper,faster and add an element of humor,plus a lot more people getting involved.LMAO

The headline of this article is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. I used to laugh when people called this the Clinton News Network – now I see they weren't joking.

Come on folks, is anyone REALLY surprised by any of this?!

Hillary is showing her desperation here. Barack Obama's health care plan covers everyone who CHOOSES to obtain it. Monthly premiums are calculated on a sliding scale – so, if you can't afford to pay anything you don't – if you can afford to pay $100 a month that's what you pay. But, you CHOOSE whether you want this or not whereas Hillary is FORCING everyone to buy health care. Hillary does not say how she is going to pay for this or if people are going to be forced to purchase health insurance that they cannot afford at the current premiums. Hillary's negativity on this is a gross distortion of the facts for her personal political gain.

But, as Barack Obama shows – he will stand fast and will continue to move forward in his bid to become the next President of the United States.

Our country is tired of politics as usual and politicians that they cannot trust that is why Hillary Clinton will not be the Democratic nominne and Barack Obama will.

Senator Obama's health plan can cover anyone who wants it – hey have a choice.

Clinton MANDATES her plan to that even if you can't afford it YOU HAVE TO BUY IT. The only people winning are Clinton and her big money donators – The insurance companies.

I for one don't want her heath care shoved down my throat just so she can pay back the insurance companies for their financial backing.

Let's check deeply into the hillary campaign office hostage issue!! looks like a plant right now. The man can not get mental health care. SOUNDS LIKE A PUSH FOR SOCIAL MEDS!!!!! He looks like he can afford health care. I think this sounds to fishy!! HEY WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS!! He dresses better then me.

I wish Hillary Clinton wouldn't run such a negative campaign. Barack Obama is the only candidate I really trust of the whole lot. He doesn't seem to play the games other politicians do and just wants to help Americans. People say he is inexprienced but that's a good thing–he's not another lying politician. I want to hear more of what he has to say!

People all of these health care plans are a path to full blown socialism and threaten the freedom and opportunity that make this country great. Once the minds of the people have been trained to believe that you can recieve something for nothing they will demand more because they will need more as the government grows and sucks the investment capital out of the economy. Also, why is it politicians are talking about increasing social programs when the ones we have (social security and medicaid) will be defunct in a few years.

SOmeone made comment about Canadian health care system.

Let me tell you it is not free. We all pay for it someway or other. Rich pay more and poor pay less. Everyone is covered however IT IS NOT FREE!!!!

Moreover healthy canadians are paying for the one who sick regardless of their age. Yes I probably don't need it however I pay because it is mandated and govt. takes it away from me through taxes. I don't have complains because you never know when one might need it.

This is for all the whiners -how Hillary going to arrest them. It is almost laughable to hear this. There are smarter ways to providing healthare to everyone. WHat Obama is suggesting sounds quite fishy to me.

An outline, description and main content of all the major issues can be found by mousing over the Issues Menu at Obama's http://www.barackobama.com official site. Extremely well thought-through, researched and motivating information is there for anybody to examine, including Health-Care (www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/). You can even post your own ideas and questions about the plan.

As a side note, up until now, my wife was "Independent" and I was in the "Republican camp". After a lot of reading, researching and discussing, we're supporting Mr. Obama. Really take some time to check out the Issues menu on his site. It's really very good and substantial. It's there for everybody to put under the microscope.

Sorry if this is posted twice… I'm not sure CNN liked the HTML link tags I put in

To discerning comment-readers:

If at any point in a comment, you see something to the effect of "Obama's plan doesn't cover 15 million people", rest assured that behind that keyboard sits an intrepid young Clinton intern behind a Tor node.

That 15 million person number? Completely made up. Much as she, and I, wish her to be, Mrs. Clinton is not Nostradamus (if she were, then she wouldn't have such a long list of glaringly poor decisions on her resume). Neither is Mr. Obama. No one can guess or estimate at how many people, when offered affordable (or free, if the inability to pay can be assured) will choose not to enroll. Undoubtedly, there will be some that fit the bill. Whether it's 15 million, or 500,000, or 30 million, no one can have any idea at this point.

Also, for those of you citing Krugman's example of liability insurance as an already-present mandate, please note that you're comparing apples to oranges. Liability insurance is not in any way required to help or protect you. If that were its objective, then full vehicular insurance would be required. Instead, it's there to protect anyone whom you may financially injure as a result of your use of a vehicle. (It's similar to why seatbelts laws are in place — it ain't about you, folks.) With health insurance, the only person affected by your decision is you. The two situations are entirely different.

As for me, I'm a poor student who has terrible coverage that he is locked into at the moment. Mandates won't affect me because I'm going to have health insurance either way. But since I tend towards civil libertarianism, I can certainly appreciate the view that one shouldn't be required to purchase something if they feel they have no need for it. If you're in safe enough financial shape that you can avoid filing for bankrupcy if you do get sick, then all the more power to ya. I envy you for not having to deal with insurance companies.

With information so easily accessible on the internet, it's incredible that people are okay with being misinformed and not looking for the facts themselves. Why do people believe everything the media prints or a candidate says? Their goal is to manipulate you to support them… For anyone interested in truth from an independent source:

http://www.factcheck.org/clinton_vs_obama.html

Hopefully, someone else will join me outside the Matrix… It's kinda lonely out here. LOL

For those of you now saying that Obama and Billary never said for health care for free, it is not said, it is implied. I'll state this very simply: Those who can or want health care pay for it now. Those who don't have it now will not pay for it under a universal system. Therefore, if a system is truly universal, it is FREE to those that won't pay for it. If you say, well then if people won't pay for it, then don't let them have it, then that is exactly what we have now. Oh, but we already have medicare and medicaid and schip. If you can't afford your own health care, then you should qualify for medicaid. If you don't, then you are spending too much of your money on frivolous items.

As for the comparisons to other items such as free ipods, cadillacs, etc.. I completely agree. Why are we trying to have universal coverage? Why not provide universal homes for everyone, they are even more of a necessity than health care. What about food? Why not have everyone go to the grocery store for FREE, and have the government pay for it. Socialism does not work. The people working will only support those too lazy to work for so long, then the system falls apart.

This is a stupid pro-Clinton headline from CNN. "Obama's false healthcare ad draws fire from Clinton." Sure you put quotes around 'false' but that's not how it reads. You give too much credibility to Clinton's transparent claim by wording it that way.

Truth is, Obama's plan offers coverage to everyone. That's universal enough for me. If people have it offered and don't accept it, that's fine by me.

Once again everyone:

OBAMA IS A LOSER!

And when did he bring "Republicans and Democrats together like he's done before"? – as claimed by his spokesman Bill Burton. Is that when it's time to vote on some tough issue and he is not around? This guy is nothing but trouble.

"I don't know what the fuss is about. It just looks bad for Obama. Anyone who has done there homework can tell you that there is not a healthcare plan that can effectively cover everyone. Just look at other countries who have tried it. It's a total disaster. Typical though. As TV ads typically pander to the lower half of the IQ bell curve".
Posted By josh : November 30, 2007 8:03 pm

Yes Sir,One health care plan, try Canadian Health care plan,
Roger

People ignore the facts and start slinging mud.

Please Clinton tell us how you will enforce your plan that you claim will be universal.

Barack I believe you have a great chance of being a great president however I think Hillary Clinton can make definite change in Washington based on experienced, and America needs to have some major changes first. In my opinion the U.S. is full of corruption and is now catching up with them. Unfortunately as being an African-American I am afraid that there will be more issues for this country that are already bad, but I won't play that card because I know that people who hate really hate themselves but I just believe that Hillary Clinton has the experience and can get the job done, and when I seen you on Oprah, it makes me scared if you would sell out.

When Hillary starts to attack she knows shes in trouble. Think of all her and slick willies lies and cover ups. Her health plan is to benefit her fat cat drug company backers. A vote for her is for a vote for the washington lobbyists and a loss to American citizens. I hope we are smarter than that!! We have had enough of the family dynasties. Men like Chuck Hagel are what The USA needs.

I don't know what the fuss is about. It just looks bad for Obama. Anyone who has done there homework can tell you that there is not a healthcare plan that can effectively cover everyone. Just look at other countries who have tried it. It's a total disaster. Typical though. As TV ads typically pander to the lower half of the IQ bell curve.

I want to thank Clinton. It was at her camp's suggestion that I actually compared their healthcare plans side by side. And his is better. And I will not be forced into it, like under her plan.

To CNN moderators and/or public. I'd like to apologise for any comments I've made with the ticker. I let my emotions get to me for the worse.

Although I find what we've become deplorable, I'm done. Harboring hate in ones heart is aweful.

I can't explain the known or unknown. All I can do is prepare for the future.

I just want CNN and the public to forgive me. I am truly sorry.

Peace to you all. I hope you find The Way home. Be discerning and innocent.

Everyone will be covered once everyone pays for it, either out of pocket or thru taxation. Period.

Why does CNN have to write the headline "Obama's 'False' Healthcare Ad" as if it is an editorial agreeing with Clinton's press release?

Obviously, Obama's plan is "intended" to cover everyone but may not if some low income people opt out. This leaves room on both sides to argue whether or not it "leaves people out."

The actual difference between the plans is simply that under Obama's plan reluctant citizens are not forced by law to participate — not whether indigent people will have access to healtchcare.

The CNN headline (inadvertently I hope) lends credibility to Clinton's purely partisan attack.

Good political reporting requires objectivity, but it also requires working hard to avoid "unintended" partiality. A little editing would have helped. This headline does not educate — it takes sides.

All I want is FREE Healthcare for all.
Didn't BOTH Obama and Clinton preach free healthcare at one point in time? Just because everyone is covered, doesn't mean that you won't be able to escape the medical insurance companies trying to find ways to NOT COVER your claim.

Hillary is a hypocrite, she condemns attack ads, then turns around and puts out more attack ads than anyone else. How can you support this lying, political machine? Can you imagine how she'll react on the next Sept 11th? Do you think she's going to make our enemies worry about the reprecussions of attacking the US? Think about it, think about Putin, Iran's Prez and China, they're gonna walk all over her.

Anyone wonder why there is no abilty to add comments on any of the THREE blogs posted about The Hilary's NH VERY Dangerous roadside flare debolical?
Are we gonna have more of this sort of things as Obama poll numbers continue to rise? It was politically conveinient to bump the Bloomberg story. I'm just askin !!

“Robert Blendon, director of the Harvard Program on Public Opinion and Health and Social Policy, estimates Obama’s plan would end up covering 5 percent to 10 percent fewer individuals than Clinton’s.”

This quote came from factcheck.org.

If Obama wants to be known as an honest guy then maybe he should start by being honest.

Hillary is not scared nor desparate in regards to Obama. Come on let's get realistic. Obama has nothing on Clinton. He's small fries. This woman could tear him up in a NY second. Clinton got more man in WOMAN then all those guys put together. All of you are dreaming if you think this guy has a chance. DREAMING. And, right now as democrats we can't afford to dream we got to win 08

The more these two candidates bicker at each other the more I lose interest in what they have to say. The democratic party is destroying there chances by weakening each other when they should be concentrating on there major issues and proving to the American people that they can lead this country out of the hole President Bush has dug for us.

I so look forward to the primaries ending, Obama with the nomination and not having to listen to Hillary Clinton any longer.

I so look forward to the primaries ending, Obama with the nomination and I don't have to listen to Hillary any longer.

I guess it is just too much to expect fewer false headlines and more honest reporting. The Clinton News Network is working overtime earning its reputation.

Hey Nathan from Columbus GA. everyone doesn't have car insurance. Just because it is mandated doesn't mean people will buy it. mandating something doesn't make it any affordable than it was originally and Hillary knows very well this is true. She is going to mandate people who cannot afford insurance buy it anyway? Good luck with that one. She needs to put the pipe down and get a reality check.

eduard–

Why do you assume Obama's subsidies are so small? Subsidies work fairly well in the Netherlands.

Clinton's plan is to force poor people to buy health insurance from rich corporations. its another example of GOP style tax the poor and give to the rich. the rich give the contributions to campaigns, and the corporations that deal in insurance are tied to companies that run media, hence the wildly biased reporting in favor of this corporate GOP-lite type democrat Hillary Clinton.

You all seem to be a bunch of idiots who don't understand what 'universal' means.

To make something 'universal' (like mandatory education for K-12.. I hope you had it down there), the government has to subsidize it. Which means that 'mandatory/universal' implies 'affordable'. And I bet it will more affordable that what Obama understands by 'affordable'.

Of course people will pay something when signing for the health care plan, of course those with no income or very small income will need to be supported by society, of course if you want more than the basic, either you or the employer will contribute. Of course you cannot get everything for nothing, for God's sake you are capitalists, you should understand this better. But if you want a healthy population, you have to do something. Sorry guys, the something offered by Obama is actually what you have now, perhaps with a 10% discount.

The fact of the matter is: HRC is scared that Barack Obama will win Iowa and then take New Hampshire and South Carolina.
She SHOULD be scared of this- because that's what's going to happen!
Barack Obama doesn't speak out of both sides of his mouth- he is consistent and the ad has be running for over a MONTH-
Come on Hillary-Give it up!

First lesson in life, folks: NOTHING is EVER free. NOTHING! EVER! You're going to pay for it one way or another, and "free" Gubmint healthcare is no different.

In fact, you'll likely pay MORE in taxes to get substandard care and then have to deal with a massive government bureaucracy, the complexity and size of which you've never seen with before.

Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

Posted By Eric, from THE Republic of Texas : November 30, 2007 1:30 pm

Re: Can you please tell me sir where it say "Free Healthcare for everyone" in this article or any other article for that matter. I googled it and couldn't find anything . I was wondering if you could help. Or learn how to read.

medicare/medicaid runs with 2-3% inefficiency and fraud, the average HMO runs between 20-30% fraud and inefficiency.

When more people are covered, less hospitals will have to sue the uninsured and spend millions of dollars trying to recover payment. Who pays for that now? The taxpayer of the sity or county. Public hospitals don't turn away uninsured in life-or death cases. That's your tax dollars already in use. You are already paying for it, just in a way more inefficient manner. So wake up.

I have lived without healtcare the last 1year. I can not afford it. I would love if Obama's plan get approved. It is not like I don't want healthcare but I can not afford it. That is the point Hillary. I want to be able to buy health insurance. I see Obama's plan a good plan for me.

While on a grad student salary, I covered my cost for health insurance. I was making 14k per year, paying rent, paying insurance, paying for a car, and taking NO student loans. I'm not really sure what people do with their money when they say they can't afford insurance.

Maybe you have an army of children to provide for…but then why are you having so many if you can't pay for them?

before you come on here and post your ignorant blogs why not go to obamas website to read up on his plan and policies? i guess its easier to sit back and criticize someone trying to make a genuine difference in the lives of others!

Eric from "THE republic of texas" (give me a break)…

Maybe my eyes are going bad or something, but where does Obama say that he'll give everyone health care for free? That's right…he never did. It's baseless junk and slippery slope arguments like this that make obvious republicans like you hard to stomach. And as far as massive government bureaucracy…uhm…what do we have right now under your republican overlords?

The thing you people fail to realize is that one way we have health care mandated and shoved down our throats and the other way we have it made more affordable. Either way plenty of people WON'T have insurance. The only difference is that one way we'll have a choice. You really need to ask yourself "Do we really need more sweeping government controls in this country?" I really hope you say no.

I rarely come out against a fellow blogger in this ticker, but ERIC from THE republic of Texas, your comment was one of the most ignornant things I've seen posted on these boards in awhile. Cable, Ipods, and Cadillacs are all luxuries….for some people, adequate health care determines whether they LIVE or DIE before the year is out. You should actually think about what you're going to type before you type it.

As for Hillary's plan, I think it is nothing more than an attempt to take more American freedoms away from the people, to simply line the pockets of an already very wealthy Pharmaceutical/Medical system. Obama's plan is correct in that it covers everyone, that is, everyone that would like to have health insurance. There are millions out there who do not have insurance simply because they cannot afford it, I know because I was one of those people at one time. Regardless of the penalty Clinton attempts to enforce on the average American who does not have insurance, that still does not cover everyone. What if I simply don't get insurance even if you fine me or threaten me with prison? We have mandated car insurance and there are still millions of uninsured drivers on the road (many of whom cannot even afford car insurance). It is also interesting that she is all for taking away freedoms from the American people, when she attacks President Bush for ignoring the constitution (which is, of course set in place to extend unalienable rights to the people of this country). I'm not even a Bush supporter and this seems like…well how did Edwards put it? Oh yeah, "double-talk."

Clinton attacks Obama's plan, but the news media have already analyzed both plans and say that neither plan would cover everyone. So, if Obama's lying, then so is Clinton.

Obama's point is that his plan covers everyone who WANTS health insurance but does not make it a crime to not buy it (for adults) as Clinton's plan does. Now, given our ability to enforce immigration law, do we need another law to enforce ensuring that everyone buys insurance from an insurance company?

Obama's plan makes it so that anyone who WANTS insurance can get it. You can say – but everyone WANTS insurance. That's Obama's point.

Clinton says that you have NO CHOICE, you must buy insurance from an insurance company. How much bipartisan support is that going to bring?

Hillary's plan is unrealistic. I know plenty of people who would love healthcare but can't afford it. Mandating healthcare would turn a lot of Americans off. Hillary and her fans miss the point. They can only think of the plan. They fail to realize to first pass healthcare law and then implement it that this law must fit the character of our nation. The first thing Americans will hear from the opposition is socialized medicine. Anything that screams of limiting ones choice with words like ‘mandate” will scare the heck out of a lot of middle America. Why do you think poor republicans vote against their financial interest? They are scared of a big controlling government. And looking in to our nation’s history I don’t blame them. Let’s be honest Obama's plan is middle of the road to the discomfort of some but it much more in tune with the American psyche and culture because we Americans love our choices.

Your title, as happens so often, is misleading: "Obama's 'false' healthcare ad draws fire from Clinton" suggests, as someone pointed out earlier, that a:

CNN believes the ad's claims are false and

b: that Senator Clinton made comments against it.

The whole story however doesn't quote Clinton once and instead quotes her staffers on the issue. I'll say it again – I don't have to agree or disagree with the news, just give me the news without bias. Most of your readers are not stupid and see through this subtle leaning. I've watched CNN for years and years but this is starting to get anneying now. Who do I write to ask for some new CNN ticker producers?

I am curious as to the specific, no political-speak explanation as to how Mr. Obama would pay for those that cannot pay, since the numbers indicate 25% of the population is without insurance. Does that mean those that pay will pay more, even for those that can pay, but won't?

First of all, CNN you guys are increasingly disappointing me. I used to trust you so much. Your title choice is misleading and deficient.
And to all the people out there saying that Clinton's plan will cover everyone because of the mandate, do you honestly think this? Sometime you have to stop following and being so gullible and think for yourself. Am feeling generous today so i'll explain it to you.
In addition to taking away our rights to choose whether we want health insurance or not, the plan simply cannot cover everyone. It's just like car insurance. In some states, uninsured motorists amount to 30% of traffic!! Heathcare mandate would bring about the same result.
It comes that neither plan will cover everybody. But at least one of them offers you a choice.
Now put that in your pipes and smoke it.

Browse this page, one article about Huckabee, one about McCain. All others about Hillary, Obama and dems. Geesh, do you have to be that obviously bias???

Illegal immigrants get their care from our Public hospitals' emergency rooms.

That is how its handled. The bill is handed to the state and to the federal government.

She has nothing to talk about her rival. She is trying to pull strings and she can't. People love obama no matter what. I am an obama supporter without shame and doesn't matter what this woman do.
Love Obama!

Hillary's Healthcare plan is the false one. What she plans to do to get the mandate arrest everyone wo does not comply? PLease she sees her numbers go down now she is trying to attack Obama. She knows she is losing this race.

Hmmm seems like both plans are a farce. One doesn't cover ALL the people it says. The other forces people to have something. One it is unconstitutional to force us to have insurance. Second if they want to fix health care, fix the exorbitant cost of health care. FIX THE PROBLEM DON'T PUT A BAND-AID ON IT! We would be better off setting limits to what can be charged for stuff than a socialist mentality of health care.
Down with socialist mentality!!!

I would rather hear about a straight forward health plan that deals with realistic goals than a "make everybody happy" plan, which is only meant to generate votes during an election year. I'm sick and tired of politicians thinking that we, the voters, aren't smart enough to see past their proposed "I will give you everything" magical wand.

Hillary needs to start being truthful otherwise people will take hostages to demand the truth and to get her to stop this kind of attacks!

Hillary with her negative attitude is making people make hostages. That is the bottom line.

Hillary is getting desperate.

Now she wants to police the TV?

I am glad I live in a free country.

Hillary, this is not a third world country where you can dictate to people what they can and cannot do.

First you want to force americans to get health insurance. What if I believe that Health care is a fear base system, why should I be obligated to get it? Oh, I forgot, you want me to fill your lobbyst pockets so they dont have to work like everyone to earn a living.

Secondly, you want to police the TV stations to block other candidates ads? This is new to me.

Wake up America before this lady transform america into Russia.

the title of your article is really misleading.
implies that CNN thinks Obama's healthcare ad is 'false'… also that Hillary said that…

the way to objectively represent the information would've been:

i was disappointed to see you so blatantly pro-Hillary during the last debate.

They are just mad because HIS paln is WAY better than hers. She wants to FORCE people that can't afford healthcare to buy health or fine them… The last thing these people need are fines for bot buying things they can't afford

Ummm, it doesn't cover everyone, pure and simple. It's not true, so it's not too smart to leave the ad up. We know Obama has a light resume, but we didn't know the people handling his campaign did too. The Democrats are going into the general with some moral authority because the country no longer trusts the Republicans to tell the truth. Do we really want to throw away that asset?

Obama has said himself in the past that NOT all americans want healthcare coverage in response to clinton's objection. This just shows Obama's so called "trustworthiness" is complete false picture he is trying to paint of himself. His supporters are dumb enough to buy anything he says even if it doesn't amke any sense

I have followed Hillary talk about her plan but nothing out there to show me how she will do it. I am not voting for her because she is vague!

How can anyone feel this is negative politics from Hillary? She's not the one lying and misleading about her health care plan. She's been straight forward and honest about it. Obama is the sneaky one, now trying to claim his plan will cover everyone. Maybe he thinks people haven't been paying attention earlier and now will buy his lie. Glad Hillary's campaign called him on this. I keep hoping he will start some straight-talkin' truth instead of misleading (and outright lying) about his plans for our nation. People need to really listen to what he's saying. It's mighty light-weight and not at all what we need in our nation's troubled times. The very last thing we need is another trainee in the oval office. GO HILLARY! NAIL HIM ON EVERY DECEPTION!

I don't get it… Hillary and Obama are playing the most games before even getting elected. Do we really want people who

1. don't have experience
2. fight among themselves while saying we have to "unite"
3. use personal attacks in place of personal successes

Just more indicative of Clinton's plan to attack, attack, attack. And why is the headline "Obama's 'false' healthcare ad", why not just "Obama's healthcare ad"?

Full disclosure: I'm not an Obama supporter, so don't bother attacking me for it

LMAO the only FACT is we will NEVER EVER EVER pass a mandated healthcare plan thru congress PERIOD..lol…. just another way to get votes..

I believe that according to Hillary, it depends on "what the meaning of the word 'is' is". Perhaps Obama should have a plan as absurd as yours Hillary that mandates itself upon all, and is as written the biggest boon-doggle since Social Security. Social Security is a mess because it took choice out of the equation, just as Hill's plan does with health care. While I do not like all of Obama's plan, I applaud it where it incorporates individual choice, and not the mandates of Hill.

Obama has said himself in the past that NOT all americans want healthcare coverage in response to clinton's objection. This just shows Obama's so called "trustworthiness" is complete false picture he is trying to paint of himself. His supporters are dumb enough to buy anything he says even if it doesn't amke any sense.

What about the 20 million illegals around us, whose covering them???

I'm glad to see Obama taking on health care, and I can't wait till I get to see a doctor. I haven't seen one in two years. He says he'll cover me, and I trust him to do it. I can't trust the Hill, she's tried before and we all saw what happened.

I'm always amazed during election time how the candidates can't stand each other. The back and forth banter becomes increasingly hostile. I pretty much, by the end of it all, dislike all the candidates. A write in for Mickey Mouse becomes immensely appealing.

Voters like me can't stand a person that lies in their ad campaign. The healthcare plan of Obama will leave 15 millions people behind. Hillary and Edwards healthcare plan will cover everyone.

I don't understand why Obama can't be honest about his healthcare plan. He should take down his ad campaign, that is MISLEADING to the nth degree. Shame on him!

Obama does need to quit lying, you can go to his website and read his plan, and compare it to hillarys, and you can plainly see for yourself that Hillarys plan truley covers everyone because it will be mandated that everyone have health insurance the same way everyone has car insurance. Hillay in '08 YAY!!!!!

Obama admits he leaves 15 million people uncovered how can he claim he covers everyone?

This is ridiculous. The add isn't "false" nor is it even remotely misleading, which is more than I can say for a number of Hillary's ads. Obama wants to make Healthcare affordable because it needs to be. Hillary wants to make us afford Healthcare because she needs to make her pharmacutical companies happy. I'm perfectly happy to elect Obama to tick off corporate America.

This is negative politics as usual from hillary. No new news here. Unfortunately we know where Obama stands.
Go Obama!

"The truth is, Barack Obama would offer health coverage to every single American who can't afford it…"

Well, hell, while we're at it, can I get Universal Single-Payer Cable TV, too, since Obama is being so generous with other people's money?

How about a Cadillac Escalade for "every single American who can't afford it?"

I could use an i-Pod, too. Could the good Senator see it in his heart to tax even MORE people to provide Universal Single-Payer i-Pods to "every single American who can't afford it?"

First lesson in life, folks: NOTHING is EVER free. NOTHING! EVER! You're going to pay for it one way or another, and "free" Gubmint healthcare is no different.

In fact, you'll likely pay MORE in taxes to get substandard care and then have to deal with a massive government bureaucracy, the complexity and size of which you've never seen with before.

Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

Hillary is not tell me how her plan will be like. She is going around the country flashing herself. She gets to Iowa, she waves, she goes to New york she waves and she want me to vote for her for President? Someone has to be real here.

I have lived without healtcare the last 1year. I can not afford it. I would love if Obama's plan get approved. It is not like I don't want healthcare but I can not afford it. That is the point Hillary. I want to be able to buy health insurance. I see Obama's plan a good plan for me.

Clinton want to false everyone to have healthcare? She brought a plan that is there in massachusetts. People get charged if they don't have healthcare. To me Hillary's plan is the one that is 'FALSE'!

I'm no fan of Kucinich, but wouldn't you think that Hillary Clinton wouldn't insult the intelligence of the American people with her claim that her plan is universal and that Obama's is not. Kucinich is the only one with a truly universal plan – it is single-payer.

Clinton's plan requires people to buy health insurance, but we've seen in Massachusetts (the only state that requires health insurance) that many people end up not buying it because they can't afford it.