MyDD :: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare Plan

Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare Plan

by Molee, Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:23:27 PM EST

Apologies for writing a diary that just refers to another spot in the web-universe (particularly the Huff Po, not may favorite place) but it is great that Elizabeth Edwards is speaking out in favor Hillary's healthcare plan.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/02 /elizabeth-edwards-favors_n_94654.html

Very interesting..... I am glad that she is bolstering Krugman's careful analysis. She has also been diplomatic about both nominees but I think this is a huge boon to Clinton from a woman (Elizabeth) who takes healthcare VERY seriosly.

Tags: Edwards, Clinton (all tags)

Permalink :: 29 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare (none / 0)

JREs and Hillary's health plans are non starters, even though I as an Obama supporter like their plans the most. The reason is because they have a mandate. No helath plan that has mandates will get passed by the repugs. It ain't going to happen. Obama's plan is a great starting point, and he is smart enough to realize that you have to have something both sides will go with. Now, if by some miracle the dems control everything (big majority) then I think that Obama could go with a JRE or Hillary plan. Nothing is written in stone, until it is written in stone.

by Spanky on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:30:01 PM EST

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare (none / 0)

I hope he wouldn't I do not support a mandate on adults.

and i there are moderate democrats who would agree with me, the needed majority to get past all the people who don't like mandates just wont happen.

they can like the plan all they want, but its not realistic to pass.

Congratulations to Barack Obama, the presumptive Presumptive Democratic Nominee

by TruthMatters on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:32:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare (none / 0)

I don't think Obama could get a plan thru congress that has mandates. The democrats would have to have a super super majority to do that, and I don't think that is in the works. I like Obama's plan too.

by Spanky on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:39:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I agree, but keep in mind that (2.00 / 1)

Hillary has said you have to START with universal coverage. She's seen enough legislative fights up close and personal to know that you want the strongest possible position "going in." Then if you have to revise to get it passed, you're more likely to end up with something acceptable, than if you go in with a weak plan and THEN have to revise.

Reasonable people can disagree.

by mnicholson0220 on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:38:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree, but keep in mind that (none / 0)

sure if you go in planning on a fight yeah.

but if both sides come in intending to compromise its different, thats what Obama wants to do a working majority of 65%

Congratulations to Barack Obama, the presumptive Presumptive Democratic Nominee

by TruthMatters on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:51:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree, but keep in mind that (2.00 / 2)

This working majority business is a joke. IT is not going to happen. Achieving universal healthcare through Obama's healthcare plan is like going to the second floor of store by going up the down escalator. Hillary's plan will work because she knows the arguments that the Republicans and the health insurance companies are going to make and has the counterarguments prepared.

A mandate is the proper compromise between fairness and personal responsibility. There is no reason that people who have their employer's pay for their healthcare should subsidize people who wish to play Russian roulette with their health. I'd prefer the status quo to Obama's plan which would reward people for recklessness.

by alvic63 on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 05:25:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare (none / 0)

Didn't Mitt Romney sign a healthcare plan with a mandate? I don't think it's impossible to get some Republican support for this. Of course, I hope we win enough congressional seats in November to be able to pass either plan without needing Republican support!

by costanoan on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:01:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Great point (2.00 / 2)

Hillary has the best health plan. And she has the knowledge to get it through.

Elvis has left the building.

by True Blue Dem on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:34:10 PM EST

Re: Great point (none / 0)

She will never get her plan thru congress, if congress stays as it is right now. Obama's plan has a great chance to get thru congress because everybody wants health insurance. Mandates are not realistic right now. Affordable health insurance is a great starting point, and I am realistic enough to understand this even though I am a very liberal person. That is what is so great about Obama. He understands that compromise is good and is willing to work to make the changes that are needed in DC.

by Spanky on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 03:45:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (2.00 / 1)

Small point no one seems to get. Without mandates - meaning everyone pays in - there is no way you can reduce preminums, eliminate pre-existing condition restrictions, stop the most expensive care (emergency room), offer wellness coverage, etc. It's simply not possible.

by Tolstoy on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 05:20:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (none / 0)

For whatever its worth, Clinton had a working Democratic majority in both houses during his first term.

We blame the failure of her healthcare plan on the GOP, with lots of reason. But with both houses of congress, the Clintons didn't get it done. Why do we assume she will now?

Or, why give her greater benefit of the doubt over Obama who, though he doesn't have similar experience, hasn't struck out yet, either.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:01:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (2.00 / 1)

Well, I think fellow Democrat Jim Cooper (now Obama's health care guy) had a little something to do with the health care defeat in 1993-94.

by costanoan on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:04:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (2.00 / 1)

Spanky and Lettuce,

Get off the Obama kool aide. Obama has zero experience in getting anything through congress. He was not even a good state senator. He just voted present. And Obama has less than zero experience on health care.

Clinton and Edwards have experience on the national stage. And know what plan will work. They are both right. Obama is wrong.

And, yea, experience does matter. Hillary's experience is why she will succees as an FDR type president.

Elvis has left the building.

by True Blue Dem on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:12:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (none / 0)

I know it's fun playing the "Hillary is FDR" game, but let's take a look at facts.

Hmmm... FDR. Three years in the NY State Senate.
Asst. Secretary of the Navy. Failed Veep bid. Four years as NY gov.

While FDR shares the NY connection with Hillary ... what makes you think that her experience makes her an FDR? Minus the loss to harding and the years in the navy, Obama has more legislative experience than FDR.

I know there's this idea that Hillary is super experienced, and the Tuzla thing may have wounded that argument for a while, but if you're going to play the experienced-based "Obama's no FDR" you might want to remember that by your own metric, neither was FDR.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:00:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (2.00 / 1)

Because that plan was completely different.

Because 16 years have passes and everyone's health care costs have skyrocketed.

Because American business was against it then, but they're for it now.

Becuase doctors were against it then, but they're for it now.

Need more reasons?

by LakersFan on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:12:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (none / 0)

Because your knowledge of history is faulty?

America was for it then. But it failed.
Costs were lower then, but still high enough that there was real movement for a national health care plan and majority support. Doctors are only marginally more in favor of it now, the numbers still don't crack 60%.
American "business" is only for it now because there is significantly less burden on them then there was in the Clinton plan.

I'm not saying Clinton wouldn't get it done, but you have lots of reasons listed except for the ones that are most universally cited:

-Cong. leaders weren't brought on board
-The process was kept secret, so that the attack ads weren't even refuted for a while
-It was a really poor plan. (It's true! Look it up.)

So yeah, you might want to try a few more reasons.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:05:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great point (none / 0)

America was not for it then. You can go look at all of the public opionion polls that compare support for a national health care plan between the early 90s and now and you will find no proof of your claim.

by LakersFan on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 01:50:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton (2.00 / 1)

Elizabeth is courageous. I wonder if this might be a prelude to an endorsement...

TexasDarlin blog

by TexasDarlin on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:04:02 PM EST

Both E and J Edwards and Clinton are clearly (2.00 / 2)

willing to fight harder for healthcare than Obama is - that's the significance of her speaking out about this.

She is aligning herself with Clinton. That's significant.

by Molee on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:06:19 PM EST

Thx, Liz (none / 0)

I'm just glad to see both candidates talking about Health Care. I prefer to see a plan that was attractive enough that people would want to get it, rather than forcing them into it.

by Kordo on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:07:27 PM EST

Re: Thx, Liz (2.00 / 1)

Do you have a problem with Social Security? Many Republicans think we shouldn't be forced to pay into Social Security and should just have retirement plans that are attractive enough for us to "want" to pay into them.

Health care is no different. We all need to pay for it and we all need to be covered. It's a pretty simple principle that all Democrats should agree on.

by LakersFan on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:19:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton Healthcare (2.00 / 1)

I saw her interview this morning (MSNBC?), and I agreed with alot she said. I'm not an expert, but it seems like a no-brainer to see that the larger the pool, the lower the cost. If younger healthy adults don't opt in, any plan is doomed. I never had insurance from the time I got out of school until I got married, because I was young and healthy, and if I was really sick I showed up at the ER. Yes, I was part of the problem. This was about 20 years ago, but I don't think much has changed since then. Many young adults struggling with car loans and student loans will opt out - making the cost too high for everyone else.

by AnnC on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:16:35 PM EST

It wont pass congress anyway dont force it... (none / 0)

I like the Hillary Healthcare Plan except the part where I am forced to buy healthcare insurance. I dont like being force to register for Selective service either. In Fact we should eliminate any plan with FORCING individual citizens to do things. Then comes the most important part, passing the legislation. FORCING people to get healthcare may not be as popular with the republicans as you might think.

by edtastic on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:23:58 PM EST

Re: It wont pass congress anyway dont force it... (2.00 / 1)

How do you feel about being "forced" to fund Social Security, schools, fire dept, etc?? And if choose not to purchase health insurance, when you get in an accident and are rushed to the ER, who's paying? Will you have a checkbook handy?

by AnnC on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:29:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It wont pass congress anyway dont force it... (2.00 / 1)

also, do you have car insurance?

by AnnC on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 04:29:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It wont pass congress anyway dont force it... (2.00 / 1)

Yeah, we do not need people paying taxes or Social Security...I mean being forced to abide by the law is downright terrible. No one should force people to go to school when they're young OR pay child support.

by Check077 on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 06:06:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It wont pass congress anyway dont force it... (none / 0)

Does this mean you prefer not to pay SS either? curious.

by benny06 on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 07:59:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Elizabeth Edwards (none / 0)

Excellent. HRC's plans for health care, foreclosure crisis, and the environment are all superior to and more truly progressive than BHO.

I was an early Edwards supporter, but always liked HRC too (and Kucinich and Biden). HRC's plans are much closer to what Edwards wanted.

It's interesting to see the Obama supporters' comments!! Supposedly his supporters are liberal progressives. YGTBK!! THey sound more like right-wing libertarians. (No big brother goverment telling us what to do!)

Imagine how upset the uninsured are going to be when they have affordable health insurance forced down their throats!

by moevaughn on Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 06:10:48 PM EST

Re: Elizabeth Edwards (none / 0)

hahaa. i second that!

--++++Stay Gold, Ponyboy!++++--

by amde on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 01:58:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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