Clinton Continues Railing on Obama's Health Care Plan

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

HANGING ROCK, OHIO -- During a campaign stop in southeastern Ohio, Hillary Clinton said her opponent Barack Obama "only wants your children to have health insurance," and pointed out that his plan has a mandate for parents to purchase health care for their children but not require "the breadwinner" to have health insurance.

Clinton said "I don't think that's smart, I think we have to figure out how we're going to provide affordable health insurance for everyone. No one will be asked to pay what they can't pay."

Clinton's jab at Obama's health care plan came during a campaign rally at Ohio University Southern Campus where a small crowd of about 150 people attended. Follwing her remarks, Clinton held a press conference where she was asked about her comments on Obama's health care plan.

"Look at his plan, he has a mandate to cover children," Clinton explained, "He does not have any requirements for adults and he has said repeatedly that he is concerned about children. Well I cover both children and adults."

The former First Lady accused Obama of having a double standard when it comes to mandating coverage for children but not for adults. "It is also a bit of a red herring on his part because he does mandate parents to have health care for their children and then criticizes me for requiring everyone to have health insurance so it's like being a little bit pregnant it doesn't make sense."

Clinton was also asked about her fund-raising figures for the month of February, since her campaign announced today that they have raised upwards of $35 million for the month and boasted the support from 200,000 new donors. Clinton said she was "excited by the generosity of thousands of new donors." Clinton called the large support a "vote of confidence" from voters in her campaign.

Clinton's comments come just one month after she loaned her campaign $5 million dollars and raised a measly $13.5 million in comparison to Obama's $36 million for the same period.

But today's figures gave Clinton a boost of confidence. "I think it says a lot," Clinton told the press, "People demonstrate their support for the candidate in a number of ways. Obviously, they come out to events they make phone calls they hold signs, they are actively involved in supporting us. But contributions are another way of judging."

The problem with that last part is that if contributions are another way of judging a campaign, Clinton has an uphill battle ahead. Obama's campaign is downplaying Clinton's figures saying they will surpass her $35 million when they're done counting for the month.

[mattcat25]

Regardless of subtleties in detailed comparisons, we are fortunate to be having a debate on this crisis of the American Health System. To put forth a comprehensive all inclusive bill will take a lot more study and efforts by both houses of congress. I must stress that any step in improving our health as a nation is an improvement from the over charging and low results of our current system and the continuous support from the right wing to allow it.

[nytecoldawn]

Neither plan covers illegals in the US. A true universal plan is one that is given to all members of society regardless of means to pay for it. Both plans shoot for universal coverage but fall short. Hillary claims universal coverage, but she will not say how she enforce her mandates, without these details you can not claim it is universal. Because enforcement is how the plan is made "universal."

Obama''s plan does claim to be universal but it really is not. His goals can be more accurately described as providing "Universal" access to "cheap" health care. We can not say exactly how much the cost of his insurance will be. As for Obama''s mandate for children, it is true he does have one. But that is because children''s insurance is a whole lot cheaper than adults currently. That is why he believes that he can mandate that without causing undo stress to the parents.

I can not say who is correct as neither plan seems to address the rising cost of health care very well and both under estimate the affect of their plans on the economy. IE, both plans will further stress the economy and potential put another crisis which could drive us into recession.

On a completely different note, there are a lot of assumptions that a vote against Hillary is a sexist vote. This is not the case, and comments to that affect are an extreme case of sexism. If that is the only reason you are voting for Hillary than you are indeed sexist.

[nytecoldawn]

Insurance companies want a mandate, because it guarantees customers. It also allow them to raise the price faster in order to "maintain risk" and make sure the companies are around longer. It gives them greater leverage against the government. Neither plan is universal and neither plan can provide for everyone as admitted by both candidates.

Hillary''s does do a little more up front, as long as she doesn''t exempt the truly poor who do not qualify for medicare or medicaid. If she does exempt them though, then they are not covered under her plan. She hasn''t stated how she would cover this group of people, preferring to sweep them under the rug for now and figure it out later. Her plan lacks specifics including enforcement mechanisms, and it is modeled after the plan in Mass where insurance costs are rising faster than across the rest of the US.

Obama''s plan has not ruled out a mandate for adults if they do refuse to get insurance. His plan is not modeled after any that I have found, so I can not speak about what type of costs could be incurred via specific examples.

[hopeful08]

This incredible young voter (Derrick) starts out with just one issue (Healthcare) and then explains the whole Obama movement better than all the experts.
Please listen to both of these videos (first one first).

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/video-interviewer-picks-the-wrong-obama-supporter-to-try-to-railroad/

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/video-obama-supporter-derrick-responds-to-his-video/

[kstar42]

can someone tell me why a response timed 8:24 PM falls behind a comment posted 6:25 PM? Unless Ks is on the west coast, Policrypt is in Mtn time, and where does that put violet68?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by aldena13 at 08:54 PM : Feb 28, 2008
WHO CARES WHAT TIME!

[aldena13]

Nevermind, too new to blogging & prior experience being educated on Politico.com.

[aldena13]

can someone tell me why a response timed 8:24 PM falls behind a comment posted 6:25 PM? Unless Ks is on the west coast, Policrypt is in Mtn time, and where does that put violet68?

[aldena13]

Kansas, I am in insurance and your position is flat out wrong and unwise as a consumer.

[kstar42]

Sexist crude remarks on T-shirts about Hillary Clinton Call 1-877-809-1659 and tell you are going to boycott them.. shame on you cbs you make me sick!

[violet68-2009]

kansas1946: I do want it and so do lots of others. Polls show 78% are dissatisfied with the current system and 62% said they would prefer a universal health care program.

Stop posturing and look at the facts. Go to factcheck.org to read a nonpartisan take on the plans.

They said Obama''s plan is NOT universal, his ads are misleading and he has distorted the comments of labor secretary Robert Reich.

I think you just hate her because she''s a strong woman.