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Let's be fair and really compare both plans.
Look at the examples we have in other countries.
In France, where there is Universal Healthcare, the balance is negative and the Public Universal Healthcare system is in dissaray, as it is the case in Germany aswell.
They are tackling the issue for years, and after seeing first hand the results all analysts agree that a system that would coordinate and balance public and private health care system with overall health costs control and public education and prevention (junk food/less activity generates diabetes,heart problems etc... that drives costs up).
Early management of some health issues would also have a lowering cost effect as for example a mandatory mamography to screen breast cancer once a year for women 30 and over to dedect any anomalie early and therefore have a low cost treatment and avoid costlier ones later.

Dear Elizabeth:
Please persuade your husband John to support Hillary. As you mentioned, Sen. Clinton's health care plan is better than Obama's. In fact, Hillary's other plans are also better than Obama's. Moreover, Obama is just a speaker without experience. He can't win the general election. I think Hillary really needs you and John's help now, and it is the good time for you to help her. I know you are a smart and ambitious lady. Your strength can fulfill the first FEMALE president for US.
God bless you.

Hillary's plan and her amazing flexibility in working with others was such a great success back in 1995, I'm sure it will work this time though...uh hugh!
Obama is simply being a realist, we have a "universal" helth plan in my country and it works sometimes and for some, however it absolutely precludes private insurers from maintaining a significant role. You cannot BUY private insurance!
How does the US think it is going to achieve universality and still maintain a private insurer system?? It's not possible!
I'm sure Elizabeth prefers her husbands taste in cars, his ties and the color of his suits over Obama as well.

How can Americans choose someone to lead this country who is a virtual unknown? Alarming.

No seriously..,

I wonder which plan Kucinich's hot red-headed wife thinks is the best plan..

Elizabeth Edwards...SHUT UP

That's called SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. I'd rather have choices that are appropriate for me & my lifestyle.

Is someone trying to suck up to Hillary? She could really use those 26 delegates!

Hillary has demonstrated her knowlegde and experience on the economy . Obama 's Heal;th Care plan will still leave a lot of Americans uninsured and the only way that we can fix this mess we are in is to have Universal Health Care for all Americans. I think Obama's plan is just a patch to get some people Health Care, but Hillary's Plan will solve this great problem that many Americans have.
Please, let's not have the media choose our next President. I also do not see him winning in the General Election against McCain.

Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who has a universal health care plan.
That's why I voted for her in the Texas Primary and hope that citizens in the next remaining primaries take the time to look beyond campaign hype, national media bias, and pundits from the peanut gallery and carefully examine the stand on the issues and importantly the policies in detail. All three candidates have a website where you can read their policies and plans.
Also- examining their voting records wherever they held public office would also be good.

OF COURSE SHE DID, BECAUSE HILLARY'S PLANS ARE BETTER...ALL OF THEM..AND SHE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE BY FAR.

AND TO ROBERT: EDWARDS MADE HIS MILLIONS SUING BIG COMPANIES, INCLUDING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. PLEASE BE INFORMED BEFORE MAKING ANY COMMENTS..........

I respectfully disagree with Ms. Edwards. Clinton had her chance for health care reform 8 years ago and failed miserably. Her jig is up. Time for a new voice to be heard in working towards a change in health care.

You know it is amazing if she were to endorse Obama's health care then this post would say what a great person she is, but because she has not then some say and quote

"Ms. Edwards has no say in this, because her husband made millions off our current healthcare policies his past career."

What a bunch of hypocrites.

More sour grapes from the Edwards. Half of Edwards' delegates have already pledged to Obama. These self serving wannabes have had their day in the sun.

To Robert: Elizabeth does have a say in this... her husband made millions from taking up lawsuits for families against big corporations that made defective products that killed many children. In addition, he made money from defending families who's doctors practiced their tradiational Bible Belt beliefs on having child birth when the woman died from not surgically having the babies by c-section. To say that Edwards made money of the current health system could not be more incorrect. Edwards made money off old biased traditional judgements from doctors who did not do their job. I lived in Greenville, NC and Wilmington, NC, so unless you have a closer proxomity to knowing something about my former senator, let me know how you justify your statement.

It's about time one of the Edwards got us back to talking about issues that matter for this country and those of us who live here rather than arguing about race, gender, or who said what petty thing in a speech.

Hillary/Edwards '08!!!

This Plan is sure going to make the insurance companies happy. Just like they did with auto insurance, they are going to do with health care. If you don't have it , you will be FINED. Will the fine double after 30 days,60daysor 90days??????How will payroll garnishment work to pay the fines if you're unemployed???With all the people out of work with the "wonderful" economy,who is going to take up the slack, taxpayers?????

Elizabeth Edwards says she has more confidence in Senator Clinton and her health care plan than she does Obama's. That makes two of us. But my confidence is not so limited. This lady who wants to be our president, is the one who can sensibly lead this country in its present state of crises, whether it be the war, foreign policy, trade agreements, jobs, or in turning around blunders by the George W. Bush administration. By now, she has as many endorsements by as many important people as Obama does, and these people expect nothing from her except that they know she can deliver the goods. Yes, Elizabeth, you've made the right call here. And we all owe you a big thank you!

Dan in TX, get your facts straight, Cliniton did not duplicate Edwards plan, her plan has been the same from the beginning, she has not diverted from her plan, and you people need to stop listening to the foolishness about peoples checks being garnished, there are rebates for the individuals that can't afford it, and there are tax breaks for those who pay the full cost for their plans, maybe if you took the time out to read and explore both plans and stop listening to the mess you hear on the media you would understand it. Elizabeth Edwards is correct Clinton's plan is the only one that will work and give erveryone the opportunity for coverage.

Okay, and...he'll probably endorse Clinton anyway. Who cares?

It is only the truth, Obama's plan is bound to fail and we'll keep having the same problem. Senator Clinton and Senator Edwards both have the same priority in their plan... us.

Thank you Mrs. Edwards.

Go Hillary

Hillary Clinton failed once already to get a health plan in place. She owes too many people to get a plan together that works for the average American family. She's beholden to the industry.

Mrs Edwards is a very smart woman, when she says that Clinton's health plan is better than Obama's plan. SO TRUE!

I would hope that Edwards would come out and throw is support behind Clinton, for she is more aligned with the goals and issues than anyone else.

Obama cannot be trusted to bring about the changes that he is promising the American people. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, can!

Elizabeth Edwards certainly hasn't missed a meal....

Obama is buying the White House, plain and simple....all with dollars his supporters could be using for aid to the poor...what a sadly simple-mided move it is to spend your vote on someone who is little more than a skilled orator....caveat emptor

Lostfigs you've lost your marbles!!

"Smart man! I love this guy and he should've been our President! Finally, we're back on the issue that matter!"

Last I checked, it was MRS. Edwards who made these statements, not her husband.

Get the facts straight!!

God bless you Elizabeth!! You are an amazing woman!

Why do I care what the wife of a failed candidate thinks about anything?

I appreciate Elizabeth Edwards' efforts in wanting to help the uninsured.......but I worry about her saying she has confidence in Hillary's healthcare plan....Hillary is a woman who tried this plan once before and it failed miserably~!! Anything short of a healthcare plan that's not like that of the UK or Canada is not a universal plan. There is also another problem with this healthcare plan....it has ZERO chance of making it through Congress~!! I like the choices Obama offers in his plan....and I would like the plan that he and other members of Congress have......but apparently only Congress thinks they are entitled to it right now......

Who is Elizabeth Edwards? She is the wife of a second rate senator from North Carolina or South Carolina? How only survived one term as a senator and was second choice to be the vice presidential running mate of Sen. John Kerry who didn't even receive Sen Kerry endorsement when he ran for president in this election cycle ..

Give me Barack.

PA for Obama, which part of the quoted transcript from ABC is not true? Maybe you're projecting...

Thank you, Mrs. Edwards for backing Hillary's healthcare plan that covers everyone, not just children as Obama's healthcare plan does.

Hillary the smart choice!

Clinton's plan covers everyone. Its based on a small percentage of your income. So the max you pay is capped based on your income.

Obama dropped the ball on this. We need everyone covered, or it won't be the same.

We need to do this 100% or not do it at all.

Obama needs to wake up, or he could ruin this for decades....

Here we go. Clinton – Edwards ticket.

No Obama – No vote

Now, endorse her John!

Once and for all, I hope people really get the difference between Hilary and Obama's plan. it is philisophical than substantive. In terms of the substance they are identical with the goal of universal coverage.

Hilary believes in mandates while Obama believe in cost reduction. Now to debate on which method will be most effective in achieving universal health insurance is worthwhile, but to say Obama's will live out many Americans is not true.

By the way mandates have already proven not to be effective. It did not work in Masachusset.

Do some fact check folks and educate yourself.......

Thank you Elizabeth!!! It's about time someone set the record straight on Obama's plan. Hillary's plan is much better.

How sad that voters bougth into the empty promises of a neophyte and are about to throw under the bus the most capable remaining candidate in the Democratic race.

I think that some day we will live to regret it........

Clinton makes everyone get the insurance but how much will it be?!

I need an insurance plan that wont break me! Or else I'll just pay the fine.

Obama's approach makes it cheaper first so you now are able to get it. No fines. Just affordability!

Makes sense to me!

Smart man! I love this guy and he should've been our President!Finally, we're back on the issue that matter!

Go Hillary!

Smart woman, Smart choice

HRC 08

Interesting...I think it is also interesting that Edwards has not jumped on the Obama train. Maybe he sees it for what it is...a disaster waiting to happen. he still needs to answer for Wright, Rezko...and I sure there is more dirt to come. I agree with Hillary "He can't win". The Repubs are going to smear him if he gets the nomination. Besides, I can't stand his arrogant wife (she is so well educated and still can't speak proper English!!! – just listen to her)

Hillary '08

All you Obama people just can't leave it alone. No matter who likes something Hillary says or backs her ideas, you just can't take it. I am very worried about a lot of you if he doesn't get nominated are you going to be hateful for the rest of your life? He doesn't have the experience to be president.

Smart Woman! Everyone knows that Hillary has a better plan than Obama for EVERYTHING!

The only experience Obama has is being a state senator people... I mean, give me a break. He has less experience than Bush did when taking office and we all see what we got!

Obama=Bush=Obama=Bush

They are the same... NO EXPERIENCE! Wake up people!

You see Clintons plan mandates that everyone be apart of it. Obama, lets adults over 25 choose to keep their plan or join the national plan. It gives you a choice.

You mean, she backs John Edwards plan, that Clinton adopted.

It is far more likely for Obama's plan to win bipartisan support than Clinton's.

It is unlikely that Clinton will bring about the reforms she is "promising". As the # 2 recipient of hefty funding from the health care industries, her hands are tied, she will protect their interests first and foremost.

The Edwards comments are not true......

I am concerned that if people cannot afford the premiums, under Clinton's plan they will be fined and if they do not pay the fine, they will have wages garnished in order to collect then fine. THEN They will really not be able to afford health insurance.

Wish you're always well ! Thank you for your comment.

soooooooooooo!!!!

Be wary any time the government tells you that you HAVE to have something. Shouldn't we have the freedom of choice, and not forced into something? And please, people... Let's not compare auto insurance and health insurance.

Elizabeth Edwards,
You are entitled to your opinion. But you're not stupid. You know comments such as these will be widely interpreted as an Edwards endorsement of Clinton. That you and your husband could do such a thing after he and you built an entire campaign criticizing the corrupt system that had funded Clinton's campaign is the HEIGHT of hypocrisy and is utterly disgusting.

With all respects, Mrs. Edwards does not know what a Universal healthcare really means...it means a more expensive less effective system. If you are forced to buy something from me, why should I make it cheaper or better?

Now, that is a smart woman! Go Hillary!

“I just have more confidence in Sen. Clinton’s policies than Sen. Obama’s on this particular issue.”

So do I! Thank you Elizabeth Edwards.

Unfortunately, Obama's Health Care Plan leaves the door wide open for failure. 14-16 MILLION Americans will not be covered under his plan.

While he mandates health care for children, who is going to care for the children when parents die because they decided they could not afford health care, and opted not to get it?

Car insurance is a mandate. The big difference? Clinton has rebates, and other ways to make the coverage more affordable for Americans.
She wants to negotiate with the Drug Companies....health insurance is more affordable in the workplace, but I believe if all the Insurance Companies were competing for the Universal Plan...that is the SAME insurance our tax dollars fund for the House and Senate, it will be MORE affordable for everyone. Don't we deserve the same type of coverage? Isn't it time for HMO's and Insurance Companies to quit deciding who lives or dies?

Ms. Edwards has no say in this, because her husband made millions off our current healthcare policies his past career.

I always said America would be sorry. Now, it has come to light: Elizabeth Edwards is officialy part of our campaign for change. But it's not too late if more people want to join her. Message to Elizabeth: Thanks for joining us on the campaign trail. Maybe your husband can donate his checkbook. Just think about it. Please.

Hillary and Nader.

Mandating coverage for people who can't afford the premiums, and then fining them when they don't pay the bill? Now they are out the money for the fine and they still don't have healthcare. Sounds like a great idea. Where do I sign up?

Idiots...

S. Clinton's plan is more inclusive than S. Obama's because it will require everybody to pitch in to share the costs. S. Obama's plan requires parents to buy insurance for their children but let the adults to decide for themselves whether they want to buy it or not.

You should correct the caption of the Edwards story by correctly spelling New Orleans.

Seems like an endorsement to me!! Thanks Elizabeth. You are right and Hillary and John are closer on the issues than most people would think!! Go Hillary and come on John, join in!!

It does NOT matter whether or not Hillary is un-electable. As long as she keeps hanging in there, we may have a chance at a decent and respectable 2nd place. With Elizabeth now a part of our campaign, we now have hope.

H. Clinton and R. Nader for America.

This just in:

Dennis Kucinich's wife prefers Hillary Clinton's foreign policy plans.

So!!

Does she back her Bosnia Stance? Her dying woman stance? Her Mark Penn stance? Her not paying bills on time stance? Her not paying her employees stance? Her not paying the health care premiums for her campaign stance? Her NAFTA stance? Her CAFTA stance? Her mismanagement of her campaign stance? Her inevitability stance?

I hope not!!!

Oh and she has a clue? Being a survivor or cancer is a great thing, but doesn't necessarily make you qualified to propose national policy.

I wish I was rich enough to be a liberal like her.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO You cant make People Join

Obama 08

And why not? Both Edwards and Clinton received FAR MORE campaign money from the Health Insurance Industry than Obama.

(why no one ever mentions the payments Hillary took before her Senate bid in New York is beyond me–but it was SIX FIGURES, folks!).

The Edwards/Clinton plan GUARANTEES more money over time for the insurance industry, and creates MANDATES for every American to carry insurance, based on some 10% of income formula that may INCREASE premiums for some people, while forcing those of us who can't afford it to buy it anyway in hopes of something called "a tax credit".

If you can't PAY for it during the year...a TAX CREDIT is useless.

And if you can't pay for it during the year...you will be FINED by the government or have your wages garnished.

I'm sorry Elizabeth is so misinformed...but what do you expect? She's got the best healthcare available to a citizen in this country as a wealthy individual. Just like the Clinton's do, as wealthy individuals.

READ the fine print, people!

Mark Penn and Solis-Doyle are losers. We... are winners.

Elizabeth, you go girl!

Hillary and Nader for America.

Liz, your husband is a MULTI-TIME LOSER who can't even wrap up his own state. No one cares what you think. Now get lost.

I appreciate Elizabeth Edwards comment

Screw off Mark Penn, you've been replaced with Elizabeth. So, there.

Hillary and Nader 2008

Common John – give us the rest – we are waiting for your endorsement. I would love to see a Clinton/Edwards ticket – best combo. Do it before North Carolina.
I feel it in the air.
Clinton takes Penn. BIG
Clinton gets endorsement from Edwards
and suddenly the big mouth flunkies who told her to drop out are silenced.
Go Hillary – you are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!

America can go screw itself now. We have Elizabeth on board. We are rolling...

Hillary and Nader, baby! 2008

Another irrelevent endorsement for Hillarycare.

Yeah, that's right. Elizabeth is seeing the light. We dont need Penn, Pennsylvania or Obama-bots. We already won California and New York and NOW we won over Elizabeth, you maggots. This campaign is HUGE.

Hillary and Nader. 2008

One should ask- Why will this plan now work when it did not work while Bill was in office?

Indeed. If we are really aiming for health care improvements, then we need to include everyone, not just the children.

too bad this will get buried by CNN...

We cannot afford to provide free helth care to criminals. That is huge! Who is going to pay for that. Here comes big goverment at its best.